Medical negligence behind amputation of girl’s hand at Jaffna Hospital?

By Sheain Fernandopulle  

The Health Ministry has decided to launch an investigation into the tragic incident where a young girl’s hand had been amputated at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital on Monday (4) after she was admitted with a fever.   The eight-year-old had been suffering from fever for four days and had initially been treated by a private doctor. However, as her condition did not improve, she was brought to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital on Sunday night (3).   Upon admission, a nurse inserted a cannula into the girl’s hand, which gradually caused her hand to become numb and disabled. The doctors were immediately informed of this development and decided to amputate her arm in order to save her life.   

The young girl, a Grade 3 student at Jaffna Hindu College and a resident of Mallakam in Jaffna, is now recovering from the procedure.  

In light of this, Deputy Director General (Medical Services) Dr. G. Wijesuriya told the media that a committee comprising specialists and senior nurses has been appointed to investigate whether the cannula was at fault or if there were other factors involved.