SRI LANKA: Maternal death through negligence by doctors at the Dambulla Base Hospital

Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information concerning Mrs. P K Deepika Priyangika (26), of Matele District. She was a victim of maternal death due to the gross medical negligence of Doctors of Dambulla Base Hospital. Priyangika was transferred to Kandy Teaching Hospital due to her severe breakdown in health. She died on 16 July after 22 days of treatment for post caesarian surgery. Priyangika, married, mother of three children was a registered expectant mother at the hospital throughout her entire pregnancy. She was in good health and her fetus showed successful growth as expected by the doctors. As instructed, she was admitted on 21 June for the delivery of her child. For the next 3 days, she suffered pain but could not deliver the child. The patient and her relatives requested the medical staff to prepare her for a Caesarian Section. She was admitted to the Labour Room at 4 p.m. on the evening of 24 June and a Caesarian Section was performed. She gave birth to a baby boy. The infant was transferred to the Baby Care Unit of the hospital. The patient was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). After 4 days, she was transferred to the Kandy Teaching Hospital. Twenty-two days after surgery, on 16 July, the Doctors pronounced Priyangika dead. The relatives argued that medical negligence and wrongful delays of the medical staff caused the death of their family member. RELATIVES ARE SEEKING JUSTICE AND LOOKING INTO CREDIBLE INVESTIGATIONS BY THE AUTHORITIES.

CASE NARRATIVE:

The Asian Human Rights Commission has received reliable information about the case of Mrs. P K Deepika Priyangika (27) of Vetthiyaya, Bogasyaya, Kalakirigama, Dambulla in Matele District. Deepika was married to Mr. Nandasiri Adikari and the mother of three children, two sons and a daughter.

Priyangika registered with the Dambulla Base Hospital as an expectant mother immediately upon learning that she was pregnant for the third time. She followed the instructions and advice given by the doctors and visited the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic at the hospital. She was safe due to the good care she gave herself and her fetus.

After examining the routine examinations and checkups, the doctors informed her that she could withstand a natural delivery. After several abdominal Ultra Sound Scans, her fetus was well grown as expected. She was advised to be admitted to the hospital on or before 21 June 2017, her due date. The hospital registered her with the Bed Head Ticket No: 28755.

On 21 June she was admitted to the hospital and developed severe pain. Compared to her previous deliveries, she was experiencing extraordinary pain on this occasion. When the husband and his younger sister visited her in the ward, she explained about the unusually strong pain. They immediately informed the Senior House Officer and the doctor and nurses on ward duty. Immediate attention was requested to protect the two lives. They clearly explained to the medical officers the extent of her high pain levels. They wanted to call attention to the doctors that her due date had passed. They urged them to take the utmost available measures to protect these two lives.

Only at 4 p.m. on the evening of 24 June, Priyangika was admitted to the Labor Room. Pryangika’s sister and husband were not allowed to accompany her. The next morning they were informed, that the doctors carried out a Caesarian Section. Her newly born son was in good health and was transferred to the Baby Care Unit.

They were told that during surgery Priyangika’s heart stopped. She started to bleed profusely from her uterus which was then removed surgically. Her kidney function also broke down leading to further deterioration in her overall health status necessitating her transfer to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

On 28 June, Doctors informed Nandasiri that they transferred Priyangika to the Kandy Teaching Hospital for more sophisticated treatments. When he visited, the doctors told him that at the Kandy hospital, Priyangika was subjected to three further surgeries. On 16 July, Priyangika was pronounced dead.

The husband, children and relatives of Priyangika were shocked on receiving the news of her demise. Medical officers were questioned as to why they delayed 3 whole days, did not act more quickly when she obviously was in exceptional pain and as importantly passed her due date. Comfort of the patient, adequate pain control and compassion appeared to be lacking. If immediate action was taken her life would have been protected.

The victim’s relatives declared that their relative died due to the combined negligent delay of doctors and other medical staff of the hospital. There were a series of events, if taken care of, would have protected Priyangika’s life. Medical Staff must be held responsible for gross negligence and delays.

There is a demand for an independent, efficient, and impartial investigation into the death of Priyangika. THEY APPEAL FOR JUSTICE.

There is the suggestion put forward by the family that the Medical Council of Sri Lanka (SLMC) re-appraise their Medical Code of Ethics. And adjustments need to be made to assure timely consultations, unnecessary delays, informed pain control management and patient comfort considerations in relation to surgery and medical treatment to prevent such a tragic event in the future.

SUGGESTED ACTION:

Please send a letter to the authorities listed below expressing your concern about this case, requesting:

1. Investigation into alleged negligence by medical Doctors at the Dambulla Base Hospital.
2. Prosecution of those proven to be responsible under the Law. 
3. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) investigate the aspects of criminal negligence and the professional conduct of the medical doctors as to their involvement in this death

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 care.

To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER