Botched abortion: Case against midwife prepared

Mom Kunthear

Phnom Penh Post

A MAN who appeared at Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday in connection with his complaint accusing a midwife of botching an abortion procedure that killed his wife said he had enough evidence to prove the woman’s guilt.

Hiv Leng has accused the midwife of performing the procedure in her home in late June, despite being untrained and unregistered. He said his wife, 40-year-old Khem Tha, became ill shortly after the abortion and visited a string of doctors who had said it was “too late to help her ”. She died on July 20.

Yesterday, Hiv Leng said he would call upon the doctors to give evidence.

“I already have evidence and witnesses, like the doctors from the clinics that I sent my wife to for treatment after she fell seriously sick,” he said, and added that he could also produce health reports and call on neighbours as witnesses.

Heng Rami, a municipal court clerk, said yesterday that the midwife was expected to appear in court for questioning on Monday. “I cannot say whether the suspect will be arrested at the time or not,” he said.