The controversial doctor Stella Immanuel who claimed that hydroxychloroquine is a cure for coronavirus was once sued for malpractice when a patient died with a meth needle in her arm, a report has revealed.
Although praised by US President Donald Trump, Immanuel has been criticised by health experts for her claims. The University of Calabar-trained doctor said she had cured about 350 patients of COVID-19 using hydroxychloroquine.
It was revealed on Wednesday that the family of one of Dr. Immanuel’s patients filed a lawsuit claiming her negligence resulted in the death of Leslie Norvell, who had complained about a methamphetamine needle that broke off in her arm.
According to the lawsuit, Norvell went to the Sabine Medical Center and was given medication but no attempt was made to remove the needle fragment that had broken off inside her arm, Daily Mail reports.
It was further gathered that Norvell was taken to a hospital just hours after seeing Immanuel because she was in so much pain.
She died six days later in February 2019 of a flesh-eating infection in her arm.
Police were unable to serve the 55-year-old doctor with the lawsuit in April because she no longer worked at the medical facility.
She had at the time moved to Texas and now works at the Rehoboth Medical Center.
Houston Chronicle could not get her comments on Wednesday, although someone who answered the phone said she was out of town.
