Probe underway after Sri Lankan woman dies during surgery

COLOMBO (News 1st); A Sri Lankan mother of two reportedly died after undergoing eye surgery.

The deceased was identified as Himali Weerasinghe (34) from Boraluketiya, Kosgoda, and she had undergone surgery at the National Eye Hospital in Colombo to insert a lens, two weeks ago.

According to the relatives, when Himali returned to the National Eye Hospital for the second time on 5th July, doctors informed her that the lens had moved and an immediate surgery needed to take place.

However, she passed away during the surgery, said relatives, adding that she was healthy even before the surgery.

The director of the National Eye Hospital told News 1st that an investigation is underway. 

The Government Medical Officer's Association (GMOA) said that the woman in question had died of heart failure while on the table.

Dr. Prasad Colambage, however, said that it cannot be ruled out as the definite cause of death, as there are concerns over other factors, including the medicine that was used.

Ravi Kumudesh, the convenor of the Association of Health Professionals, pointed out that the anaesthetic administered to the woman was the same that was given to a child at the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital, who also died.