A Singapore mother and daughter took legal action against National University Hospital and Ang Mo Kio–Thye Hua Kwan Hospital after the mother’s health worsened, which eventually led to her leg being amputated. However, the High Court dismissed their lawsuit on January 12.
According to court documents, Parvaty Raju had multiple long-term medical conditions, including diabetes and kidney failure. Between September 2020 and January 2021, she received treatment at National University Hospital for pain in her right knee. During this period, she underwent surgeries to treat pseudogout in her knee and received further medical assessments. At the same time, doctors noticed tissue damage on her heel.
Transfer to Community Hospital and Worsening Condition
In January 2021, Parvaty was transferred to Ang Mo Kio–Thye Hua Kwan Hospital for observation. While there, her condition deteriorated. Her heel began producing an odour and showed signs of decay. Doctors later diagnosed her with wet gangrene.
She was readmitted to National University Hospital on February 5, 2021. Due to the serious condition of her leg, doctors advised her to consider amputation. Parvaty had reportedly told her family that she would “rather die than have a major amputation”.
Despite her initial resistance, she eventually agreed to the procedure. Her leg was amputated on February 19, 2021. She was discharged about a month later, with doctors noting that the surgical wound was healing well.
Parvaty lived for another two years after the surgery. She passed away in 2023 due to coronary artery disease and renal failure.
Daughter Continues Lawsuit Alleging Negligence
Parvaty’s daughter, Meenachi Suppiah, continued the lawsuit on her mother’s behalf. The suit claimed that National University Hospital failed to provide proper care, leading to tissue damage in Parvaty’s heel and worsening her health condition.
The lawsuit also alleged that hospital staff did not carry out further tests or take preventive measures to stop foot ulcers, despite knowing she had diabetes. It further claimed that negligence by staff at both hospitals allowed the wet gangrene to spread, eventually resulting in the amputation.
The suit also stated that National University Hospital staff failed to remove dead tissue before transferring Parvaty to Ang Mo Kio–Thye Hua Kwan Hospital.
Court Finds No Negligence by Hospitals
In her judgment, Justice Mavis Chionh found no evidence of professional negligence by either hospital. She noted that National University Hospital staff were aware of Parvaty’s medical history and had taken steps such as providing pressure-relieving mattresses.
The court found that when Parvaty was transferred, the gangrene was “dry” and showed no signs of infection. After reviewing expert opinions, Justice Chionh ruled that the recommendation for amputation was “reasonable” and “appropriate”.
She also found no proof that staff at Ang Mo Kio–Thye Hua Kwan Hospital caused the heel ulcer to worsen. The judge concluded that both hospitals “bore no liability for compensation”.
As a result, Parvaty and her daughter were ordered to pay S$975,403 in legal costs, including interest.
Hospitals Respond to Court Decision
In response, a National University Hospital spokesperson said the hospital “respects” the judicial process and “acknowledges” the court’s decision. The spokesperson added that the hospital will “continue our work on delivering high-quality care centred on patient safety and outcomes”.
A spokesperson for Ang Mo Kio–Thye Hua Kwan Hospital said it had no further comments beyond the High Court’s ruling, which stated that its care team “had not acted negligently nor violated professional conduct”.
