Father seeks probe into daughter’s death at Ratnapura Hospital

By Sheain Fernandopulle 
The father of a 21-year-old girl who died while receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Ratnapura has called on the Health Ministry to launch an immediate and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death, alleging possible
medical negligence. 
In a letter addressed to the Health Minister, the father requested a ministerial inquiry into the death of his daughter, who died after being admitted to Ward 13 of the General
Hospital, Ratnapura.  
According to the letter, she was admitted through the hospital’s Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) on July 3 after being diagnosed with pneumonia and was later transferred to Ward 13. 

The father alleged that despite repeated requests by family members, his daughter was not adequately reviewed by the treating consultant, medical officers or nursing staff. He further claimed that her complaints of severe chest pain, bleeding from the mouth, persistent diarrhoea and worsening shortness of breath were not acted upon appropriately. 
He also alleged that her oxygen saturation level had dropped to 85 per cent on the day of admission and, although oxygen therapy was administered, the treating consultant was not informed promptly, and no urgent escalation of care was initiated. 
According to the complaint, the patient’s condition continued to deteriorate until she suffered a cardiac arrest in the ward. She was subsequently transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where she later died. 
Furthermore, father said the Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) had indicated that the provisional cause of death was pneumonia, pending histopathological examination. 
As such, he requested the Health Ministry to appoint an independent investigation team to review the patient’s medical records, nursing notes, observation charts, medication records and investigation results, examine whether proper monitoring and escalation procedures had been followed, obtain statements from the medical and nursing staff involved, and determine whether accepted standards of medical care had been maintained. 
Meanwhile, speaking to the Daily Mirror, Ratnapura Teaching Hospital Director Dr A.D.H. Jayathilake confirmed that the hospital had received the letter regarding the incident. 
Dr Jayathilake said the hospital is currently gathering information related to the matter and that the circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated. 
He added that further details would be available once the inquiry is completed.