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Probe into alleged medical negligence at private hospital
View(s):The Private Health Services Regulatory Council (PHSRC) and police are investigating a complaint of alleged medical negligence filed against a private hospital in Colombo, the Sunday Times learns.
The complaint is with regard to a 79-year-old man who allegedly died after undergoing a barium enema on January 14 during which he is alleged to have gone into cardiac arrest. He died on January 30. “The complaint made to the PHSRC was forwarded to the Western Provincial Director of Health, Dr. Deepthi Perera for inquiry,” Dr. Kanthi Ariyaratne, Director of Private Health Sector Development, adding that she, in turn, has requested that an expert committee be appointed to look into the matter.
“The recommendation will be put to the PHSRC this week and an expert committee including doctors from the relevant specialties will be appointed,” said Dr. Ariyaratne who is also the PHSRC’s Secretary. The police, meanwhile, have recorded the statements of both parties in a month-long investigation, a senior police official said, adding that the file has now been submitted to the Attorney General’s Department for advice on how to proceed.