12 doctors probed for miscarriage death (2)

(ANSA) - Catania, October 20 - Catania prosecutors have placed 12 doctors from the city hospital's obstetrical and gynaecological department under investigation in the case of a woman who died at the weekend after a miscarriage, judicial sources said Thursday. They are suspected of multiple manslaughter in the death of Valentina Milluzzo, 32, and the twin babies she was carrying. Sources said the move was a formality following a complaint from the woman's family. The suspects are all the department's staff excluding head surgeon Paolo Scollo and his assistant Emilio Lomeo, who were absent. Catania prosecutors said earlier they had ascertained that the doctor who allegedly refused to intervene was not registered as a conscientious objector in the medical files. Milluzzo died on October 16 at Catania's Cannizzaro hospital, where she had been for 17 days following complications in the 19th week of pregnancy with twins. The woman's family alleged that the doctor refused to intervene and remove the fetuses following a respiratory crisis because he was a conscientious objector who refused to take part in abortions.
    The woman was pregnant following assisted-fertility treatment as another health centre. Health ministry inspectors are expected to arrive at Cannizzaro hospital later on Thursday.