Clinic Director in Fatal Child Case Opens New Medical Center Under Same License

The director of a private dental clinic in Astana, where a three-year-old girl died following treatment, has opened a new medical center operating under the same legal entity. The case, which sparked widespread public outcry, involved the death of the child after a procedure to treat 18 teeth under general anesthesia.

Recent social media posts alleged that the director had launched a new dental facility. In an official response to inquiries, representatives of the new Himan Clinic confirmed that medical activities are conducted by the same limited liability partnership (LLP), operating under an existing license in accordance with national law.

The clinic's statement emphasized that "special attention is paid to issues of quality and safety of care" in its current operations. It separately noted that "at the present time, the clinic does not provide services using general anesthesia."

In a related legal development, an appeals court recently upheld the conviction of the anesthesiologist involved in the tragic incident. On February 24, 2026, a judicial panel reviewed appeals from both sides.

The convicted doctor and her defense sought a full acquittal, arguing that the parents had allegedly not disclosed the child's chronic illnesses and that she had not observed symptoms before the operation. The victims' side requested that the crime be reclassified from "minor" to "medium" gravity, stating that improper performance of duties directly led to the child's death.

"The death of E.Z. Is directly indicated as a consequence of the actions of the medical worker," argued Ruslan Aitzhanov, representing the victims. "The correct classification affects both the amount of payment to the victims' fund and the calculation of the criminal record period."

The judicial panel found the anesthesiologist's guilt fully proven, reiterating that the doctor bears responsibility for clearing a patient for anesthesia and monitoring their condition. However, it agreed with the initial court's classification that under part 2 of Article 11 of Kazakhstan's Criminal Code, this was a minor crime committed through negligence. The original sentence was left unchanged and has taken effect.

Consequently, while spared imprisonment due to amnesty provisions, she is prohibited from practicing medicine for three years.

The tragedy occurred on October 30, 2024. The three-year-old girl did not wake up after treatment involving general anesthesia with Sevoflurane during a procedure lasting over three and a half hours.

A forensic examination revealed multiple violations by the anesthesiologist during treatment at what was then known as Smile.KZ clinic on Kabanbay Batyr Avenue. These included repeated administration of anesthetic drugs and ignoring equipment alarms.

In December 2025, following her conviction for improper performance of duties resulting in death by negligence (Article 317-1), she received a two-year suspended sentence alongside her practice ban.

The court also issued a special ruling concerning systemic violations by management at TPP Smile.KZ Dental Clinic LLP regarding national health legislation. It ordered measures to eliminate these violations and prevent their recurrence while instructing relevant authorities to enhance oversight over private clinics and investigate management actions further.