Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), received information regarding the death of a patient at the Kuliyapitiya District Base Hospital. Mrs. Uragoda Appuhamilage Somawathi told the doctors and nurses at the hospital that she was allergic to antibiotics, but she was still given an antibiotic injection, which lead to her death on June 28.
CASE NARRATIVE:
Mrs. Uragoda Appuhamilage Somawathi, 70, of Henegedara, Ihala Gomugomuwa in the Kurunegala District, married with two sons, injured her second finger of her left hand on 27 June 2017. According to her sons Sampath Nishantha Hettiarachchi (42) and Ruwan Chaminda Hettiarachchi (38), she was immediately brought to the private medical center in the Kuliyapitiya Town for medical treatment. After examining the injury, the doctor informed them that the nail of the finger has been damaged so that it is better to admit her to the Kuliyapitiya District Base Hospital to conduct a minor surgery and remove the nail.
Somawathi was immediately admitted to the Kuliyapitiya Hospital and put in Ward No. 12. Considering her situation, the doctors allowed her to have one person stay with her for assistance, so her younger daughter-in-law K N Sithara Jayaratne spent the night with her at the ward.
According to Sithara, when Somawathi injured her finger, she was in good health. Several years ago, when Somawathi was being treated for a minor injury, her doctors found that Somawathi is allergic to antibiotic treatments. The doctors clearly informed and advised Somawathi and her sons and daughter-in-law that in the future, whenever getting any medical treatment, they must properly inform the doctors about her particular allergy. The doctors clearly explained that if she takes antibiotic treatments, then there is a risk she could lose her life.
On June 27, after she was admitted to Ward 12 of the Kiliyapitiya Hospital, Sithara and Somawathi both informed the doctors and the nurses who attended her about her allergy. In the evening, the nurses inserted a cannula into Somawathi’s vein in order to inject medicine as part of her treatment. Immediately, both Somawathi and Sithara again explained the gravity of treating Somawathi with antibiotics. Then the nurses called the doctors who were in the ward, and confirmed that the medicine would not harm Somawathi.
At 7 p.m. that night, the house officer doctor along with two other doctors approached Somawathi and examined her. Then the senior doctor informed the two other doctors that they need to change the medicine previously prescribed for the patient. When the lady doctor who examined and monitored Somawathi informed the senior doctor that she has an antibiotic allergy, the senior doctor considered the records and confirmed the medicine for use.
The next day, at 2 a.m., a nurse came to inject medicine using the cannula. Again Sithara and Somawathi explained about her antibiotic allergy. The nurse responded that she is following what the ward docts prescribed.
Within a minute of injecting the medicine, Somawathi started to complain of a burning feeling in her chest. She started to shiver and sweat profusely. Her eyes rolled up. Sithara screamed for help and several doctors and nurses took Somawathi to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital. However, several hours later, she was pronounced dead.
Sithara and Somawathi’s two sons claim their mother died due to the negligence and wrongful treatment of the doctors. They clearly informed the doctors and the nurses about Somawathi’s allergy, but without paying any attention, the doctors irresponsibly injected the wrong medicine causing Somawathi’s death. They later learned that the medicine injected into Somawathi just prior to her death was an antibiotic (Inter Venus Cloxacillin).
Somawathi’s sons demand an independent, efficient, and impartial investigation into the death of their mother. They also suggest that the Medical Council of Sri Lanka (SLMC) reappraise their Medical Code of Ethics. Adjustments need to be made in relation to surgery, medical treatment and informed consent for every patient to prevent such tragic events.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please send a letter to the authorities listed below expressing your concern about this case, requesting an investigation into the alleged negligence by medical doctors at the Kuliyapitiya District Base Hospital and the prosecution of those proven to be responsible.
The Asian Human Rights Commission has written a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to enjoy the highest standards of physical and mental health.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ………………..,
SRI LANKA: Death of patient through negligence at the District Base Hospital Kuliyapitiya
Name of the victim: Mrs. Uragoda Appuhamilage Somawathi (70) of Henegedara, Ihala Gomugomuwa in the Kurunegala District.
Alleged perpetrator: 1) Medical staff of the Ward: 12 of the Kuliyapitiya District Base Hospital
2) Medical Superintendent (MS) of the Kuliyapitiya District Base Hospital
Place of incident: Kuliyapitiya District Base Hospital
Date of the incident: 27 June 2017
I am writing to bring to your attention the situation regarding the above mentioned person. Mr. Mrs. Uragoda Appuhamilage Somawathi, 70, of Henegedara, Ihala Gomugomuwa in the Kurunegala District, married with two sons, injured her second finger of her left hand on 27 June 2017. According to her sons Sampath Nishantha Hettiarachchi (42) and Ruwan Chaminda Hettiarachchi (38), she was immediately brought to the private medical center in the Kuliyapitiya Town for medical treatment. After examining the injury, the doctor informed them that the nail of the finger has been damaged so that it is better to admit her to the Kuliyapitiya District Base Hospital to conduct a minor surgery and remove the nail.
Somawathi was immediately admitted to the Kuliyapitiya Hospital and put in Ward No. 12. Considering her situation, the doctors allowed her to have one person stay with her for assistance, so her younger daughter-in-law K N Sithara Jayaratne spent the night with her at the ward.
According to Sithara, when Somawathi injured her finger, she was in good health. Several years ago, when Somawathi was being treated for a minor injury, her doctors found that Somawathi is allergic to antibiotic treatments. The doctors clearly informed and advised Somawathi and her sons and daughter-in-law that in the future, whenever getting any medical treatment, they must properly inform the doctors about her particular allergy. The doctors clearly explained that if she takes antibiotic treatments, then there is a risk she could lose her life.
On June 27, after she was admitted to Ward 12 of the Kiliyapitiya Hospital, Sithara and Somawathi both informed the doctors and the nurses who attended her about her allergy. In the evening, the nurses inserted a cannula into Somawathi’s vein in order to inject medicine as part of her treatment. Immediately, both Somawathi and Sithara again explained the gravity of treating Somawathi with antibiotics. Then the nurses called the doctors who were in the ward, and confirmed that the medicine would not harm Somawathi.
At 7 p.m. that night, the house officer doctor along with two other doctors approached Somawathi and examined her. Then the senior doctor informed the two other doctors that they need to change the medicine previously prescribed for the patient. When the lady doctor who examined and monitored Somawathi informed the senior doctor that she has an antibiotic allergy, the senior doctor considered the records and confirmed the medicine for use.
The next day, at 2 a.m., a nurse came to inject medicine using the cannula. Again Sithara and Somawathi explained about her antibiotic allergy. The nurse responded that she is following what the ward docts prescribed.
Within a minute of injecting the medicine, Somawathi started to complain of a burning feeling in her chest. She started to shiver and sweat profusely. Her eyes rolled up. Sithara screamed for help and several doctors and nurses took Somawathi to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital. However, several hours later, she was pronounced dead.
Sithara and Somawathi’s two sons claim their mother died due to the negligence and wrongful treatment of the doctors. They clearly informed the doctors and the nurses about Somawathi’s allergy, but without paying any attention, the doctors irresponsibly injected the wrong medicine causing Somawathi’s death. They later learned that the medicine injected into Somawathi just prior to her death was an antibiotic (Inter Venus Cloxacillin).
Somawathi’s sons demand an independent, efficient, and impartial investigation into the death of their mother. They also suggest that the Medical Council of Sri Lanka (SLMC) reappraise their Medical Code of Ethics. Adjustments need to be made in relation to surgery, medical treatment and informed consent for every patient to prevent such tragic events.
I request your swift intervention to ensure that the authorities listed below open an immediate investigation into the patient’s death and examine all allegations of medical negligence by staff of the Kuliyapitiya District Base Hospital. Those proven to be responsible should be prosecuted. All doctors involved should be internally investigated for breach of any ethical or professional conduct.
Yours sincerely,
PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Rajith Senarathna,
Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine
Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medicine
No: 385, Ven. Baddegama Wimalawansa Thero Mawatha,
Colombo 10
SRI LANKA
Tel: + 94 11 2685663/ + 94 11 2694132
Fax: + 94 11 2694227
E-mail: minister@health.gov.lk
2. Secretary
Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medicine,
No: 385, Ven. Baddegama Wimalawansa Thero Mawatha,
Colombo 10
SRI LANKA
Tel: + 94 11 2698511/+ 94 11 2698517
Fax: + 94 11 2692913
Email: secretary@health.gov.lk / secretary.health.sl@gmail.com
3. Director of General of Health Services
Ministry of Healthcare & Nutrition,
No: 385, Ven. Baddegama Wimalawansa Thero Mawatha,
Colombo 10
SRI LANKA
Tel: + 94 11 2694860
Fax: + 94 11 2693869
Email: dghs@health.gov.lk
4. Mr. Pujith Jayasundara
Inspector General of Police
New Secretariat
Colombo 1
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 440440 / 327877
E-mail: igp@police.lk
5. Mr. Jayantha Jayasooriya PC
Attorney General
Attorney General’s Department
Colombo 12
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 436421
E-mail: ag@attorneygeneral.gov.lk
6. Secretary
Human Rights Commission
No. 36, Kynsey Road
Colombo 8
SRI LANKA
Tel: +94 11 2 694 925 / 673 806
Fax: +94 11 2 694 924 / 696 470
E-mail: sechrc@sltnet.lk
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
