News
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Family
complains of airline ill-treatment
The family which had flown to Sri Lanka and was scheduled to board a Singapore-bound plane in the early hours of February 5, had to wait for more than three hours in the transit lounge. The staff had then informed them that the flight had been re-scheduled causing a further delay. Mr. Yaheya who had been confined to a wheelchair, had shown signs of discomfort. His daughter Shahena had complained to the ground staff and had been advised to get her father admitted to hospital and take the others to a hotel until the flight was due. She had contacted her brother-in-law Abdul Rahuman, a Sri Lankan businessman, as she was not familiar with places in Sri Lanka. He had instructed her to get her father admitted to Negombo Hospital, and requested the others to rest as he will be at the bedside of the patient. The family had checked in at the hotel at 5 a.m. and had been informed at 7.30 a.m. to get ready to board the flight at 10.30 a.m. Meanwhile the father had discharged himself from hospital of his own accord. When the family arrived at the departure counter they had been informed that no one could board the flight, unless the patient was given 'medafoam', as it was claimed that he could die at any moment. The family had inquired everywhere for 'medafoam' thinking it was some kind of medication. At last they had been told that 'medafoam' is not a medicine but an application form - medical information sheet - 'medaform'. Meanwhile, in a statement made to The Sunday Times SriLankan Airlines said the flight had been delayed as the airport had been closed due to the freight plane mishap that occurred the previous day. According to this statement, when passenger had complained of chest pain, the SriLankan Airlines duty doctor recommended that he be rushed to hospital. The patient had been accompanied by the airline nurse who had remained with him until the OPD doctor had examined him and instructed that he be admitted to the ICU, the airlines said. However, the patient had later left the hospital against medical advice. When the patient arrived at the airport for boarding, the airline doctor had contacted the hospital authorities and based on their report and the patient's condition, had refused him permission to board the flight. Mr. Rahuman who accompanied the family had then turned abusive and refused to accept this decision. It was then that the doctor had insisted on a 'medaform', confirming the patient was fit to travel - that he would be allowed to board the flight. |
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