2 doctors sentenced following the death of journalist Ramina Yagafarova

Two doctors from a private clinic have been criminally punished in connection with the death of Ramina Yagafarova, a 31-year-old presenter of the “Dunyo bolyab” TV channel, who passed away in 2023. QALAMPIR.UZ has reviewed the court documents related to the case.

According to the documents, the medical professionals—identified as A.K. and O.K.—were resuscitation doctors at a private clinic operated by “Doctor Servis” LLC.

On September 12, 2023, Yagafarova visited the clinic to see her mother, who was undergoing treatment. During the visit, she took a medication called “Tigeron,” which she had brought with her due to her own illness. Following this, she experienced a severe allergic reaction and went into anaphylactic shock.

Despite clear signs of anaphylactic shock, doctor O.K. misdiagnosed her condition as a general “anaphylactic reaction to medications” and administered treatment that did not align with proper medical protocol. Although the “National Clinical Protocol for the Treatment of Patients with Anaphylactic Shock,” approved by the Ministry of Health on November 30, 2021, specifically requires the use of Epinephrine (Adrenaline) to stabilize vital organ functions, the doctor failed to prescribe it.

Moreover, O.K. claimed that Yagafarova had pneumonia during questioning but did not conduct any X-ray examinations to verify this diagnosis.

O.K. also administered various medications unsuitable for anaphylactic shock and failed to consult with allergists or therapists. He prescribed drugs such as calcium gluconate—a histamine liberator that can worsen allergic reactions—and Promedol, a narcotic pain reliever, despite its unsuitability for the patient’s condition.

Additionally, O.K. used 400 ml of sodium bicarbonate, a dosage not typically recommended in cases of anaphylactic shock. Although the “Vidal Handbook” of medicines in Uzbekistan notes that sodium bicarbonate may cause seizures, the doctor used it regardless. According to the court, O.K. acted with negligence and dishonesty and left the patient unattended for 12 hours.

The second doctor, A.K., received Yagafarova in a serious condition and, along with head physician M.I., diagnosed her with anaphylactic shock and “epileptic syndrome based on information from relatives.” Despite the severity of her condition, A.K. did not take steps to transfer her to a specialized medical facility. The medical record merely noted that the patient and her relatives declined the suggestion to be transferred.

A.K. also prescribed medications inappropriate for treating anaphylactic shock, including sodium thiosulfate and calcium gluconate, both of which carry contraindications. These contributed to a further drop in the patient's blood pressure.

Both doctors committed multiple violations of the national treatment protocol for anaphylactic shock, which resulted in a worsening of Yagafarova’s condition. She experienced an epileptic episode and later died of mechanical asphyxia due to blockage of the upper airway with food particles.

On April 7, the Chilanzor District Criminal Court found both doctors guilty under Part 3 of Article 116 of the Criminal Code—failure to perform professional duties properly. They were each sentenced to four years of restricted liberty and banned from working as resuscitators for one year and six months. In addition, the court ordered them to jointly pay 334 million 150 thousand sums in material damages to the victim's legal representative.

It is worth recalling that on December 31, 2024, Ramina Yagafarova’s sister, Diana Irtuganova, appealed to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and his assistant, Saida Mirziyoyeva, requesting their intervention in the investigation. According to Irtuganova, despite the initiation of a criminal case, the investigation had stalled, and expert evaluations confirmed the medical errors committed by the “Doctor Servis” clinic staff. She also noted that the clinic’s owner, former football player Server Djeparov, might influence the investigation through his connections.