NHSL: Death due to administration of carbon dioxide, probe still on

Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said that a committee, chaired by an Additional Secretary of the Health Ministry, was in the process of recording statements from doctors, nursing staff and other personnel on duty at the time a female patient died last Thursday after surgery at the National Hospital. The Minister said so after meeting the hospital staff.

Initial investigations indicated that she had been administered carbon dioxide. The Minister was accompanied by the Deputy Director General of the Hospital Dr. Kumara Wickremasinghe.

The deceased was a 61-year-old woman from Nugegoda. She was admitted to ward 6A and was sent to theatre B for a breast-related surgery.

Health unions have also called for a detailed investigation into what they said was a serious lapse.

A statement issued by the Health Ministry quoted Dr. Pathirana as having said that carbon dioxide had been carelessly given to the patient who had been recovering after surgery. Dr. Pathirana stressed the need to take remedial measures in case of medical negligence on the part of the staff.