Non-standard ultrasonography

My wife was 6months pregnant at that time when we went to Kulunu Medical Services for a scan appointment. The sonologist on duty was Dr Fathmath Ali Didi. The scan was done. The only thing she said to us was that "baby was normal" and that "everything was fine". Two and a half months later when baby was delivered, he had gross multiple physical anomalies!
[Received by Email]

Dr Fathmath Ali Didi is the Director of Medical Administration at IGMH, an MBBS graduate who has risen through the ranks initially because of her influential family and now because of the ease with which she can be manipulated by policy makers.

We have been able to confirm that for the past many years she has been a practicing sonologist performing the "job" of PG Radiologists both at the government setup and in private practice. She is however, not a radiologist and has nothing more than the experience of attending a single certificate course on basic ultrasonography years ago. We have been told, and we believe too, that she has over the years acquired skills in operating the ultrasound scan machine and is able to do basic scans.

Nevertheless, lets us not be fooled into believing that she is at all qualified to do complex sonography. The scan referred to in the email had missed fairly gross physical anomalies that should have been seen by the sonographer. We wonder how many such errors had resulted from scans performed by herself and fellow wannabe-radiologist Dr Yaganegi.

We called IGMH to find out what post Dr Fathmath Ali Didi holds within the radiology department. The PRC girl said "she is a consultant". Our contact within the Personnel Department was able to confirm that she held no official post in the radiology department at IGMH. Her posts include Director of Medical Administration and Registrar in Internal Medicine. We have also learned that her qualification is listed as MBBS only. She is not a specialist physician and her post of Registrar in Internal Medicine came as a shock to us. We were made to understand that these types of extra posts were common for high level administrative staff and that it was a way of them earning a higher salary. Incidentally- Dr Yaganegi is also only an MBBS graduate.

One of staff at IGMH reported that Dr Fathmath Ali Didi only does scans when there is a shortage of Radiologists and that she is "usually quite Ok" with obstetric scans. The truth became apparent when we called CEOs office, where her office is. The person who answered said that she was on scan duty at the time and to call later!

This case highlights a serious breach of trust that should exist between service provider and patients. Individuals working in professional capacities well beyond their capabilities and medical qualifications is a serious issue. It could cause serious damage and grievances for patients. From the email, it is evident that it has already happened.