Probe on hospital

18 August 2010 12:30 pm - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Jamila Najmuddin

Investigations have been launched by the Health Ministry on a complaint lodged by a couple alleging medical negligence at a leading private hospital in Colombo, the Director of Medical Services at the Health Ministry, Dr. S. Gamage told Daily Mirror online.

Dr. Gamage added that he had informed the Western Provincial Health Director to conduct an inquiry into the complaint and a detailed report is expected to reach the Health Ministry in two weeks in order to initiate action against the private hospital.

According to the complaint, the couple had admitted their 11 month old son to the private hospital on August 12 during which time they allege that the child had been drugged with an overdose of medicine.

The father of the baby, Sadiq Hassen told Daily Mirror online that his son, who had been suffering from a wheeze had been treated by a female pediatrician and was discharged on August 14.

However just before the child was discharged, as the parents received the medical prescription and the diagnosis card from the hospital, a syrup named ‘Deriphylinne’ had been prescribed at a dosage of 30 ml instead of the regular 2.5 ml which the child had taken before.

When the parents had inquired from the hospital nurse of the high dosage, she had given the child an extra 10 ml.

Within hours the baby had started vomiting and suffering from short breath which prompted the parents to telephone the Hospital in seek of some urgent advice. “The doctor who was at Ward 16 told us to continue with the medicine and not to bring my child back to the Hospital,” Hassen said.

As the baby’s condition grew worse, the parents had sought advice from a family doctor and rushed him to a government Hospital.

The family in the meantime had contacted private Hospital once again who allegedly admitted that the child had been prescribed an overdose and urged the parents to admit him back to the Hospital.

The child was transferred back to the private Hospital on August 15 during which time the management visited the family and allegedly admitted the mistake. “The management told me that the pediatrician had prescribed an overdose of the syrup. After treatment I took my child back home without paying the bill. I am just glad that he is saved despite the medical negligence by the Hospital,” Hassen said.

A complaint against the Hospital has also been lodged with the Kollupitiya Police. (Daily Mirror online)

the complaint letter and diagnosis cards

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Comments - 14

Saba Wednesday, 18 August 2010 12:44 PM

For the sake of other patients, especially for the children, can you please name this IRRESPONSIBLE peadiatrition?

Bakamoona Wednesday, 18 August 2010 01:03 PM

A bit curious. Where did the doctor study ?

Smart Aleck Wednesday, 18 August 2010 01:06 PM

I suppose that ultimately the bill will give the father of the child a heart attack.

Kasun Liyanaege Wednesday, 18 August 2010 03:29 PM

time has arisen for RDL to enact.

sabeeha Wednesday, 18 August 2010 03:43 PM

Actually, severe punishment to be given to the parties who were involved to this. the health ministry should monitor Private hospitals closely to avoid this type of incidents

Zakiyah Wednesday, 18 August 2010 03:45 PM

I recommended LRH, Best place for children. Private Hospitals only grab our Money other than nothing else.

Saibu Nana Wednesday, 18 August 2010 04:50 PM

I am sure that this particular doctor did not graduate from Sri Lanka ...

Raaiz Wednesday, 18 August 2010 04:51 PM

Both the doctor and the hospital concerned should be punished!

Edwardo Baltazar Wednesday, 18 August 2010 05:06 PM

See the rubber stamp on the bottom of the prescription - you can identify the Hospital.

Lanka karuna Wednesday, 18 August 2010 05:22 PM

Thank God that these parents had the courage to go the police! Many keep silent. Doctors are a law unto themselves! They are only interested in money making! They work long hours to make more and more, and end-up making mistakes! (Thankfully, not all doctors!)

OneLanka Wednesday, 18 August 2010 07:18 PM

Most Sri Lankan doctors think they are Gods! They only see Rupee notes in patients, so how can they diagnose?

Premakumar Thursday, 19 August 2010 06:26 AM

Yes, please let us know the name of the instituition and the outcome of the inquiry without delay.

ane apoy Thursday, 19 August 2010 06:39 AM

In private hospitals Doctors are over glorified, for the hospital the doctor is more important than the patient who actual pays doctors' salary. it is obviuos from the car park onwards

citizen1 Thursday, 19 August 2010 08:34 AM

Going to the police is not generally recomended either as you could end up in the hospital again!

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Probe on hospital

Comments - 14

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