Mysterious death of the 21-year-old girl at Rathnapura Hospital

The father of the 21-year-old woman who died while receiving treatment in Ward 13 of Ratnapura Teaching Hospital has accused medical negligence in connection with her death and has requested the Minister of Health to immediately conduct an independent, ministry-level investigation into the matter. In relation to this incident, reported by Shehan Fernandopulle, the father of the deceased young woman has made this request by sending a special letter to the Ministry of Health.

According to the letter, the young woman was admitted to the hospital via the emergency treatment unit on July 3rd due to pneumonia and was later transferred to Ward 13. The father alleges that despite her complaints of severe chest pain, bleeding from the mouth, persistent diarrhea, and worsening respiratory difficulties, and despite repeated requests from her family, the treating specialist doctor, medical officers, or nursing staff did not properly examine her.

On the day of admission to the hospital, her oxygen level had dropped to 85 percent, and despite receiving oxygen therapy, the specialist doctor in charge of treatment was not immediately informed, nor was she referred for emergency intensive care and further treatment. Due to the continuous deterioration of her condition, she suffered a heart attack in the ward and subsequently passed away after being transferred to the intensive care unit. During the investigations, the Judicial Medical Officer stated that the provisional cause of death was pneumonia, pending the histopathological examination report.

For these reasons, the father requests the appointment of an independent investigation team to review the patient's medical records, nursing notes, observation notes, medication records, and test reports, and to examine whether proper observation and referral procedures for further treatment were followed. He further requests the Ministry of Health to obtain statements from the medical and nursing staff involved in the incident and determine whether accepted medical standards were maintained.

Meanwhile, commenting to the Daily Mirror newspaper, Dr. A.D.H. Jayathilaka, the Director of Ratnapura Teaching Hospital, stated that the letter related to this incident has been received by the hospital. The hospital director further stated that the hospital is already gathering information and conducting an investigation into the matter, and more details can be provided once the investigation is concluded.