Mysterious death of a young woman at Ratnapura Hospital

More than a month has passed since the father of a twenty-one-year-old woman, who tragically died while receiving treatment at Ratnapura General Hospital, lodged a complaint requesting an independent investigation into her death, but no response has yet been received from the Ministry of Health. It is alleged that the death occurred due to omissions on the part of medical authorities, and the deceased young woman's father directly appeals to the Minister of Health to immediately launch a full investigation into the matter.

A lot of information regarding this incident, reported by Shehan Fernandopulle, has now been revealed.

The young woman was admitted to Ward 13 of Ratnapura Hospital on July 3rd due to pneumonia. Her father alleges that she suffered from severe chest pain, bleeding from the mouth, continuous diarrhea, and respiratory difficulties, and despite the family repeatedly requesting treatment from the hospital staff, these requests were ignored, leading to a rapid deterioration of her health.

It is said that at the time of her admission to the hospital, her body's oxygen saturation had dropped to 85 percent. Although oxygen was administered, the hospital staff failed to immediately inform the specialist doctor about the serious condition and escalate emergency treatment. Subsequently, the young woman suffered a heart attack within the ward and passed away after being transferred to the intensive care unit.

The Judicial Medical Officer has recorded pneumonia as the immediate cause of death, subject to a preliminary histopathological examination. However, the father of the deceased young woman requests authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation, considering the treatment provided, medical and nursing notes, medication records, observation notes, and test results, as well as statements from all relevant medical and nursing staff.

In this regard, Dr. A.D.H. Jayathilaka, Director of Ratnapura Teaching Hospital, has confirmed that the relevant complaint has been received and that investigations are being conducted into the circumstances surrounding the death, while gathering information related to the incident. However, sources report that despite discussions having commenced at the hospital level, the Ministry of Health has not yet responded to the serious allegations made or announced any steps for an independent investigation.