A Hong Kong paediatrician has been removed from the General Register for nine months after a Medical Council panel found him guilty of professional misconduct in a 2009 case that left a newborn with lifelong disabilities.
A Medical Council inquiry panel on Sunday convicted Dr Sit Sou-chi of failing to carry out all necessary and immediate investigations on newborn Li Yuanjian after the infant suffered a seizure on December 22, 2009, at Hong Kong Baptist Hospital in Kowloon Tong.
The child was left with cerebral palsy and quadriplegia and is unable to care for himself. The victim’s father, Li Zhijian, said the punishment was appropriate but justice had been delayed.
“This is not the end of our journey. Even though the doctor has been found guilty of professional misconduct, removing his licence for nine months cannot buy back our son’s health for the rest of his life,” he said. Li added that he would pursue civil claims against the doctor and the hospital.