No child has died due to anaesthetic drug: Health Ministry

• Two women aged 26 and 60 had died due to complications caused by an anaesthetic drug
• Entire batch withdrawn  

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

In response to recent claims by various parties that two children had succumbed to an anaesthetic drug administered at the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital, the Health Ministry clarified that no children  had died due to the use of an anaesthetic drug.   

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Peradeniya Teaching Hospital Director Arjuna Thilakarathna said no child had died due to the anaesthetic drug in his hospital; however, the relevant drug is suspected to have caused two deaths of women aged 26 and 60 in the recent past.   

On June 16, a patient undergoing treatment at the Peradeniya Teaching had passed away after receiving the Indian-manufactured anaesthetic Bupivacaine while another death of a pregnant woman occurred in April just two months prior after being given a different anaesthetic drug. As a precautionary measure, the Health Ministry had previously suspended the use of the latter drug

in April. In addition, Director of Sirimavo Bandaranaike Specialized Children Hospital in Peradeniya, Dr Sarath Weerabandara also told Daily Mirror his hospital had reported no deaths of children due to the anaesthetic Drug.   

According to Dr. Vijith Gunasekera from the  National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), the entire batch of the relevant drug has been withdrawn subsequent to the initial mishap in April.   

•  On June 16, a patient undergoing treatment at the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital had passed away after receiving the Indian-manufactured drug