Probe launched into amputation of student’s arm

27 January 2013 03:16 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 30 Bookmark

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A special committee has been appointed by the Health Ministry to probe into the incident of a below- elbow amputation of a female law student from Matara.

Health Ministry Spokesman W. M. D. Wanninayake speaking to the Daily Mirror said the patient who suffered a fall and fractured her left arm had been admitted to the Matara hospital a few days ago. Due to her complaining of an extreme pain in the fractured arm even following medications, measures had been taken to transfer her to the Colombo National Hospital where a below-elbow amputation had been carried out on the fractured arm on Thursday (24).

Mr. Wanninayake said the committee appointed by Health Ministry Secretary, Dr. Nihal Jayathilake under the instructions of Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, consists of Deputy Director - General Medical Service, Dr. Ananda Gunasekara and several other medical specialists.

“The committee has been instructed to launch immediate investigations into the incident and they are to probe into the reasons led to the amputation of the arm,” Mr. Wanninayake said adding, if the committee findings determine the amputation was an avoidable measure, strict action will be taken against the medical officials who prescribed the amputation. (LP)