Composition of expert committee to be expanded

26 February 2024 10:41 am Views - 408

Colombo, Feb 26 (Daily Mirror) -  In light of the gravity and complexity of the sequence of events surrounding the recent deaths at the dialysis unit of the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital, the Health Ministry is considering expanding the composition of the five-member committee tasked with investigating into the matter, the Daily Mirror learns.

According to a top source, the initial investigations conducted at hospital level have failed to determine the actual cause of deaths prompting the hospital management to request the Health Ministry to conduct a through investigation.

Hence, the Health Ministry appointed a five-member committee headed by Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Samitha Ginige.

However, the source revealed that the composition of the committee may be expanded given the complexity of the scenario.

Furthermore, sources are of the opinion that the incident may have occurred due to the entry of certain unidentified pathogens into the dialysis unit.

Nevertheless, the initial probe carried out at hospital level has not shed light on any entry of such pathogens into the dialysis unit.

Considering the circumstances, the health authorities took prompt measures to shut down the unit and direct the kidney patients to other nearest units.

Speaking of the matter, Secretary of the Ministry of Health Dr. Palitha Mahipala said at least five deaths have occurred since January at the dialysis unit and that investigations are underway to ascertain the actual cause of these deaths.