Almaty is investigating the death of a 14-year-old boy who, according to his parents, fell critically ill after receiving an antibiotic injection, infohub.kz reports.
Doctors fought for the teenager's life for seven days but could not save him. The first complaints of enlarged lymph nodes appeared in early August. According to the parents, they sought help at various medical facilities. The boy underwent two courses of treatment with antibiotics and other medications prescribed by specialists, but the problem persisted.
On October 21, the parents brought him to a polyclinic in Almaty. The mother recalls that an infectious disease specialist prescribed an antibiotic. She noted that the doctor warned about the need for a test before administering the drug. However, almost immediately after the procedure, the boy's condition deteriorated sharply.
"She asked the second nurse what dose to administer — '0.5?' The nurse confirmed, 'Yes, 0.5.' That phrase was said twice. The drug was injected intramuscularly. He developed a gag reflex. He said he felt bad, that his whole body was shooting with pain. I practically carried him in myself because the reaction was so sudden. I held ammonia to his nose while she injected some drug, probably an anti-shock medication. And the child wasn't getting better. He had already started convulsing. He lost consciousness. I thought he was unconscious. They started rushing around, looking for doctors who were supposed to help," the mother recalls.
The parents suggested their son might have developed a severe allergic reaction. The boy was taken to the Center for Pediatric Emergency Medical Care, where he was put on a ventilator. Doctors fought for the teenager's life for seven days but could not save him.
"We kept believing until the end. I said, first there were these violent emotions, tears, but then I said, as long as my son's heart is beating, I will not mourn him. I tried to hold on all these days," the mother said.
The parents of the deceased boy have turned to the police. The family wants to find out how much of the drug was administered to their son, whether the medical procedure was performed correctly, and how the polyclinic staff acted after his condition worsened. It is emphasized that the parents also have questions about the medical documentation. According to the father, the materials received from the polyclinic contained discrepancies that the family is asking to be checked. In particular, the parents claim that the volume of the drug indicated in the documents differs from what the medical staff reportedly discussed before the procedure.
The parents also ask the investigation to establish how fully and correctly the medical documentation was completed. They also want an assessment of the actions of the ambulance crew. The health department expressed condolences to the family and said additional information would be provided after the review.
Police are now handling the case. "The investigative department of the Almaty City Police has opened a criminal case on this fact. All necessary expert examinations have been ordered. Based on their results, a procedural decision will be made within the criminal case," said Saltanat Azirbek, official spokesperson for the Almaty Police Department.