The Medical Council yesterday denied accusations made in its regard by the parents of a child who died from meningitis and which is the subject of criminal proceedings against seven doctors.

Aimee Abela died aged two in February 2011 and her parents, Carlo and Jacqueline, filed a judicial protest last month demanding to know why, over the past 24 months, they had never been told of an inquiry into the circumstances leading to their daughter’s death.

They said that they were never asked to give their version of events or been told of any disciplinary action faced by the seven doctors who now stand accused of having negligently contributed to their daughter’s death.

The parents protest was filed against the Medical Council, the director general of the Health Department and the Chief Government Medical Officer.

In a reply, the Medical Council said it never opened any inquiry regarding the seven doctors now in court.

It said it never had any contact with the parents and never informed them of any inquiry. To date, it had not received any form of written complaint from the parents and the case had not been referred to the Council by any government department or entity.

The Council said it was holding the parents responsible for any possible damages it might suffer.

In the proceedings against the doctors last week, court-appointed medical expert, Mario Scerri said that, had proper tests been carried out, the bacterial infection the girl suffered would have been highlighted.

Dr Scerri explained that, although the symptoms of meningitis could be either completely absent or full blown, he was disappointed to note that none of the doctors had ordered a septic screen.

He said that had the girl been given the proper medication she would have responded, but this had only been done towards the end of her life.

Dr Scerri noted that two of the accused were not actually to blame for anything and had acted professionally. He told police as much but the two were still arraigned.

The witness reported that one of the accused had actually included an entry in the medical file, making three observations on the child’s deteriorating condition.

The doctor wrote: “The child looks miserable, the child looks very miserable and the child looks extremely miserable.”

The case continues.