Doctor's negligence results in the removal of a person's kidney

(October 01, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Mr. Alahakoonge Supun Piyal of Pahala Madampella, Katana in the Gampaha District was admitted to the Negombo Base Hospital for medical treatment for abdominal pain on 18 June 2010. He underwent surgery for the removal of a kidney stone and when his condition worsened he was transferred to the Ragama Teaching Hospital. There the doctors informed him that right kidney was infected and 'certain parts' were missing due to the surgery. In order to save his life the doctors then removed the kidney. Supun has complained to the relevant authorities about the irresponsible actions of the doctors at the Negombo Base Hospital but justice has been denied for him. This illustrates how, in similarity with the Sri Lanka Police, the medical authorities refuse to take action against their own.

CASE NARRATIVE:

According to the information that the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) received Mr. Alahakoonge Supun Piyal of Pahala Madampella, Katana in the Gampaha District is married and the father of two children.

In March, 2010 he suffered with abdominal pained and went to the Negombo Base Hospital for medical treatment. The doctor who examined him, Dr. Jude R Wijesekara, explained that he had a stone in his right kidney which needed to be removed surgically. He was advised to be admitted to the hospital on 18 June of the same year for the surgery.

Supun was duly admitted to the hospital on 18 June and was subjected to several examinations. After considering all the reports Dr. Wijesekara performed the surgery on 21 June 2010 following which, Supun remained heavily sedated for two days.

When he regained consciousness he found that he was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital. Then he was transferred to the Ward 6.

On 23 June Dr. Wijesekara came to Supun and informed him that the removal of kidney stone was done but there were large hemorrhage during the surgery so he needed to take more nutritious foods. Several days later while he was still in hospital Supun suffered severe pain in his abdomen again.

On 28 June Dr. Wijesekara informed Supun that due to some problems in the area of the surgery they had to transfer him to the Ragama Teaching Hospital for further treatment. Supun was taken to the said hospital by an ambulance on 30 June and admitted.

Then he was admitted to Ward No. 32 and subjected to several examinations. Dr. Namantha Nandasena explained to him that in order to try and repair the damage done to the right kidney during the earlier surgery they had to operate again. This was done on 7 July.

After he regained consciousness the doctor informed him that they had reopened the area of the first surgery and found that it was infected and full of puss. Further they have noted that the internal part of the right kidney was not clear enough to see. They also noted that certain parts of the right kidney were missing. Upon finding this the doctors could not proceed further and were unable to complete the surgery. They told him that further examination was required until they could perform the next surgery.

Supun was again subjected to several examinations and was treated as a indoor patient.

Then Supun learned that doctored examined several of his reports. When they studied his IVU report the senior consultant surgeon informed him that his right kidney was seriously infected. He further expressed his opinion that, "The mason has done the carpenter works at the Negombo Base Hospital".

The next day the Dr. Nandasena came to Supun again and informed him that they have to remove his right kidney in order to save his life. This was done on 26 July. Following this operation he was treated at the hospital till the 10 August and discharged.

While at home he developed a high fever and was again admitted to the same hospital on 19 August and treated until his discharge on 31 August.

Supun states that the doctors at Negombo Base Hospital negligently performed their duty while examining him and executing the surgery. Further he states that they conducted the surgery without proper medical skill and professional discipline.

Supun further states that he is now facing severe distress due to the permanent lost that caused by the neglectful procedure of the doctors. He further stresses that the damage done by the doctors cannot be assessed.

Supun made a complaint to the Sri Lanka Medical Council, Health Ministry of Sri Lanka, Inspector General of Police, Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka and to the Headquarters Police Station of Negombo but none of these authorities have conducted efficient investigations unto the incident. He further maintains that the state of Sri Lanka have an obligation to ensure him a fair trial and justice regarding his violations of rights.

The government of Sri Lanka must do all they can to protect his life by providing proper medical treatment for him. He should be given the highest attainable medical facilities.

Source: Asian Human Rights Commission