Four months after the husband of Chrystal Boodoo-Ramsoomair brought private charges of manslaughter against three doctors they have not been served with summonses.As a result, the three doctors–Dr Mondira Seenath, Dr Deepavali Ramballack and Dr Ashmeed Mohammed– were not in court when the matter came up before Magistrate Annette McKenzie in the San Fernando court yesterday.However, attorneys Jagdeo Singh and Saira Lakhan, who are representing the interests of the doctors, were in court.
Lorne Ramsoomair is alleging that the doctors caused the death of his wife after she gave birth, via caesarian, at the San Fernando General Hospital on March 4, 2011.At the last hearing on July 9 fresh summonses were issued.When the matter was called, Lakhan informed the magistrate her instructions were the doctors were not yet served. Lakhan said they found out about the matter today through the newspapers and came to indicate their position in the matter.
Lorne Ramsoomair was represented by attorney Allister Khan. Khan is instructing attorney Israel Khan SC and Ravi Rajkoomar.Khan confirmed the summonses were not served. "We will try to ensure that the defendants are served on the next occasion," he said.McKenzie ordered summonses in the care of Cpl Badal. The summonses, she said, were to be issued forthwith. Khan requested a date in January and the matter was adjourned to January 17.
In a medical negligence lawsuit brought by Lorne Ramsumair, the SWRHA admitted liability due to the fact that it failed to provide proper medical and support services to Boodoo-Ramsoomair.However, it denied the doctors were negligent. The doctors sought to have their names struck off the lawsuit but that was dismissed by High Court judge Frank Seepersad.The doctors appealed. However, three Court of Appeal judges, including Chief Justice Ivor Archie, dismissed their appeal.