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More child victims of wrong injection
Alleged negligence by doctor
By Apsara Kapukotuwa and Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe
With two reported cases of medical negligence against a MBBS doctor who has a private practice 25 kms away from Chilaw in the Puttalam district, fresh reports are coming in of previous victims of the same doctor, who has now been identified by health authorities.

On May 24, the arrival at the Chilaw Base hospital of a 5 year old patient from Pallama, Thorawatawana, suffering from muscle degeneration, brought on due to an injection given as treatment for asthma, alerted officials that this might not be an isolated incident.

The doctors at the pediatric ward had records of another child of 4 years, seeking treatment for the same complaint two months ago. Having recalled the earlier patient to the hospital, the pediatrician was able to determine that the two cases were owing to muscle degeneration brought on due to the injecting of steroids that are usually given to adults with rheumatoid arthritis to ease symptoms. This particular steroid is not recommended for use on children below the age of 6. The muscle deterioration that was caused is said to be irreversible.

By Thursday, the spread of information regarding this alleged act of medical negligence brought 12 other children who had received treatment from the same dispensary, to Chilaw Hospital for medical evaluation. Initial inquiries had shown the doctors at the Chilaw Hospital that these children too, had been injected with the same steroid for a variety of complaints ranging from asthma to the common cold, cough and fever. These patients showed side-effects ranging from excessive hair growth to gaining weight.

Since the parents of these children had commented on other patients with similar complaints visiting the dispensary in question, Chilaw hospital authorities have appealed to the residents of Anamaduwa and Pallama areas of Puttalam to report to the nearest Government hospital with any child who had been treated by the doctor in question and is now showing adverse side-effects.

Speaking to the Sunday Times Chilaw Base Hospital DMO Dr. K. Sivagnanam said a complaint has been lodged against the doctor in question with the Deputy Provincial Director of Health and the Director General of Health Services. He said that the Health Minister had inquired about the incidents. " The next step would be for an inquiry to be initiated by the Sri Lanka Medical Council," he said.

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