SRI LANKA: Doctor's negligence results in the death of ayoung girl in Hambantota
ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION – URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME
Urgent Appeal Case: AHRC-UAC-144-2012
15 August 2012
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SRI LANKA: Doctor's negligence results in the death of a young girl in Hambantota
ISSUES: Right to health; medical negligence; denial of justice; equal access to medicine
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Dear friends,
Ms. K K Neesha Chaturangi (17) of Ambalantota, Baragama, Arawanamulla in Hambantota District was a student of a Ambalantota Kuda Bolana Pajjaseeha Maha Vidyalaya. On 2 June 2012 she ate some cashew nuts after school before taking her lunch. Then she complained of stomach pain. When she was brought to Hambantota General Hospital doctors accused her for eating "Kaneru" (Nerium oleander) which is deadly poisonous. She continuously explained to the doctors that she was well aware of what Kaneru was and she had never eaten it. The doctors gave her medicine and an injection. She vehemently denied that she had consumed Kaneru and did not want the injection. However, the doctors forcefully injected her and forced her to take the medicine. Later her condition worsened and she was transferred to the Teaching Hospital of Matara. At this hospital she was declared dead on arrival.
In order to cover up the truth the doctors at Hambantota General Hospital made a false story and telecast it over the Swarnawahini Television Network that she had committed suicide. The relatives made complaints to the police against these illegalities but the police refused to investigate the crime. Neesha's parents have complained to the relevant authorities about the irresponsible actions of the doctors at the Hambantota General Hospital but justice has been denied. This illustrates how, in similarity with the Sri Lanka Police the medical authorities refuse to take action against their own.
The doctors at Hambantota General Hospital did not take appropriate measures to save Neesha's life.
CASE NARRATIVE:Ms. K K Neesha Chaturangi (17) of Ambalanthota, Baragama, Arawanamulla in Hombantota District was a student of a Ambalanthota Kuda Bolana Pagnaseeha Maha Vidyalaya.
On the 2 June 2012, Neesha was returning from school at about 2.10pm in the afternoon, without taking lunch, she had eaten cashew-nuts with her younger sister. A few minutes after eating cashew Neesha had vomited. At about 4pm she was taken to Udabaragama Government Hospital.
