An autopsy revealed that Dr. Galit Sa’adah-Ofir died of internal bleeding following the delivery of her twins by C-section in Jerusalem’s Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center.

The family’s attorney questions how the medical staff did not detect the continued internal bleeding during the hours following last Thursday’s delivery, why no one saw the signs, why no action was taken that could have saved her life.

The deceased’s brother, Rom, explained that when Galit told the staff she felt as if she was going to pass out she was told this was common following such a delivery and was given two non prescription pain killers and told to rest. When her husband Moshe arrived to visit in the morning she was already connected to a mechanical breathing device and he saw the bed was “full of blood”.

What is known for certain is that Rom asked how she felt when she was brought to the unit from the recovery room at 18:00. She told him she was feeling fine. Rom reports that his brother Oded spoke with Galit later on, but she said “I cannot speak. I feel like I am going to pass out.” At 22:00 she received medication as cited above. No doctor was sent to check on her but her chart indicated that a shift physician entered a note [at some point] that her signs and symptoms were in line with her condition. Later on, Moshe telephoned her but she did not answer. He became concerned and telephoned the nurse’s station but they told him “don’t worry. She is just too tired to pick up”, but that was not so explained Rom, since Galit always always answers the phone.

The big question appears to be how the entire night passed without a physician checking her. Some of the nurses insist she was sleeping, so perhaps the doctor passed her by nighttime checks. Others believe a doctor did enter the room but mistakenly saw another woman who delivered via C-section. Official are also seeking to ascertain if the hospital permitted junior residents to perform the C-section and who exactly played what role in the delivery of the twins.

Mrs. Dina Sa’adah of Ashkelon, Galit’s mother, is in shock and is waiting for an explanation as to why no one responded to her calls for assistance the entire night.

Attorney David Caspi, a medical malpractice expert has been hired by the family, promising they will not rest until the truth is learned and those responsible are held accountable.

The Ministry of Health is waiting for a response from Hadassah as to why no one on the medical staff noticed her deteriorating condition, external signs of hemorrhaging and failing vital signs as she bleed to death after bringing two children into the world. Hadassah released a statement expressing profound sorrow over the loss and promises a full investigation is underway.

The twins, Almog and Ohad, are scheduled to be released from the hospital on Monday.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)