On June 4, 2025, the High Court in Nairobi ordered Aga Khan Hospital to pay Naila Qureshi and her spouse Ksh.157,207,524 after a surgical procedure went wrong, causing significant physical and emotional harm. The ruling followed an 18-year legal battle, where the court found the hospital negligent for performing a hysterectomy on Qureshi in 2006 without her informed consent. The procedure, intended to address a medical condition, led to lasting trauma and life-altering consequences.
The court determined that the hospital’s failure to properly inform Qureshi about the surgery’s risks violated her rights. Evidence showed the procedure, carried out without clear communication, left Qureshi unable to work and facing ongoing health issues. The awarded sum, one of Kenya’s largest for medical negligence, compensates for her suffering, lost income, and reduced quality of life.
The decision reinforces the need for medical institutions to respect patient autonomy and ensure clear communication before procedures. For Qureshi and her spouse, the compensation acknowledges the profound impact of the hospital’s error, though it cannot fully reverse the harm suffered.
Aga Khan Hospital has not issued a public statement on the ruling. The High Court’s judgment sets a precedent for accountability in Kenya’s healthcare system, emphasizing the duty of hospitals to prioritize patient care and consent. The ruling offers Qureshi some justice after nearly two decades of seeking redress.
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