Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding medical negligence in regard of a woman who has now been in intensive care after caesarian operation on 26 July 2007. Even though she and her family had repeatedly complained her deteriorating condition, nurses simply responded that the victim was mentally ill and didn’t provide medical care. The victim has now been in the Intensive Care Unit for the past three months and is dependent upon a life support system.
CASE DETAILS:
On 21 July 2007, Chrishanthi Kumari Dissanayake, was expecting a baby and was admitted to Kandy General Hospital Ward No. 6 and was looked after by the same doctor who had treated her before. She had attended the clinics and doctor said there was no complication.
On July 26, according to the doctor Chrishanthi had difficulties in delivering a baby so that she was given a caesarian operation. When Chrishanthi’s husband, Senerath Dissanayake, came to visit her on 28 July, she complained that her right hand was completely numb. When Senerath complained to the nurse on duty, the nurse replied that there were many such cases and something was wrong in her mind. Furthermore, the nurses did not pay attention to Chrishanthi’s deteriorating health condition nor took proper action.
After visiting her in hospital, Chrishanthi’s brother reported that Chrishanthi looked completely lifeless and was unable to do anything for herself and was unable to feed herself or her child. After her brother informed her other relatives, there was no improvement in her condition, yet the nurses maintained that Chrishanthi was mentally ill.
The victim’s sister, Deepa, was shocked at her condition and decided to take her to a different medical centre, but the nurses objected, stating they were responsible for her. After repeated requests from Chrishanthi’s family, the nurses replied that there are five doctors available to look after her and assured them there was no need to worry about her. Nevertheless, Chrishanthi’s condition continues to deteriorate and she has now got a high fever. Chrishanthi’s child is now in her grandmother’s care and Chrishanthi has been transferred to the Intensive Care Unit and for the last three months, has been surviving with the help of artificial respiration and a life support system. The two doctors who are in charge of ward No 6 are Dr. Kalinga Nanayakkara and Dr. Wimalasiri.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write letters to the authorities mentioned below demanding them to conduct impartial investigation into this case without delay and to take disciplinary action against those responsible.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear __________,
SRI LANKA: Medical negligence results in woman in intensive care
Name of victim: Chrishanthi Kumari Dissanayake (23), married to Senerath Dissanayake, resident of Kalugala Road Katugastota Chrishanthi
Name of alleged perpetrators: Nurses and Dr. Kalinga Nanayakkara and Dr. Wimalasiri in charge of Ward No. 6, Kandy General Hospital
Date of incident: 26 July 2007 onwards
Place of incident: Ward No. 6, Kandy General Hospital
I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding a case of medical negligence, which has resulted in the victim spending the last three months in an Intensive Care Unit.
On 26 July 2007, Chrishanthi Kumari Dissanayake was given a caesarian operation. When Chrishanthi’s husband, Senerath Dissanayake, came to visit her on 28 July, she complained that her right hand was completely numb. When Senerath complained to the nurse on duty, he was told that Chrishanthi must be mentally ill.
After visiting her in hospital, Chrishanthi’s brother reported that Chrishanthi looked completely lifeless and was unable to do anything for herself and was unable to feed herself or her child. After her brother informed her other relatives, there was no improvement in her condition, yet the nurses maintained that Chrishanthi was mentally ill.
The victim’s sister, Deepa, was shocked at her condition and decided to take her to a different medical centre, but the nurses objected, stating they were responsible for her. After repeated requests from Chrishanthi’s family, the nurses replied that there are five doctors available to look after her and assured them there was no need to worry about her. Nevertheless, Chrishanthi’s condition continues to deteriorate and she has now got a high fever. Chrishanthi’s child is now in her grandmother’s care and Chrishanthi has been transferred to the Intensive Care Unit and for the last three months, has been surviving with the help of artificial respiration and a life support system.
I urge your immediate intervention to ensure that a thorough and impartial investigation is conducted as a matter of priority in relation to the hospital authorities serious negligence, which has resulted in the victim being reduced to surviving through a life support system. I am also deeply distressed to find such negligent practices taking place amongst nurses in Sri Lanka, who blatantly ignored the victim’s pain and the pleas of her family. I also urge you to provide all possible assistance to her family.
I trust that you will take immediate action in this serious matter
Yours sincerely,
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PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Nimal Siripala de Silva, MP
Minister of Healthcare, Nutrition and Uva Wellassa Development
“Suwasiripaya”, No.385,
Rev. Baddegama Wimalawansa Thero Mawatha,
Colombo 10
SRI LANKA
Tel & Fax: +94 11 2 662982/ 694132/ 694227
E-mail: Minister@health.gov.Ik
2. Mr. Victor Perera
Inspector General of Police
New Secretariat
Colombo 1
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 440440 / 327877
E-mail: igp@police.lk
3. Secretary
Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka
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
4. Mr. Paul Hunt
Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
OHCHR-UNOG
8-14 Avenue de la Paix
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Fax: +41 22 917 90 06
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrchk.org)
