Six Calls Unanswered: Services of Two Doctors Halted After Infant Dies During Delivery

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Health has taken steps to temporarily suspend the services of two doctors attached to the Trincomalee Hospital in connection with the death of an infant that occurred while a trade union action by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) was in progress.

The decision has been taken based on several allegations, including neglect of official duties during designated working hours.

Accordingly, the Director General of Health Services has suspended the services of a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and a Senior Residential Doctor serving at the Trincomalee Hospital.

The action follows a preliminary investigation conducted by the Ministry of Health into an incident that occurred on April 9, when an infant died during a delivery at the Trincomalee Hospital.

Investigations have alleged that although six telephone calls were made requesting the two doctors to attend the maternity ward at the time of the delivery, they did not report to the ward.

It has also been alleged that at the time the calls were made, the two doctors were attending a Caesarean surgery at a private hospital. Based on these allegations, the Ministry of Health initiated a preliminary inquiry into the incident.

Following the findings of the investigation, the Director General of Health Services decided to temporarily suspend the services of the two doctors over multiple allegations, including abandoning duties during official working hours and engaging in work at a private hospital outside approved procedures.

The Ministry of Health has stated that a formal disciplinary inquiry will be conducted into the incident.

Meanwhile, the Government Medical Officers’ Association responded to the matter today.

“We have informed all our members that they may engage in trade union action only within certain limits. That limit is based on the principle that under no circumstances should harm come to a patient’s life. If, under such circumstances, any doctor has neglected emergency treatment services, that is not a matter that falls under the responsibility of the Government Medical Officers’ Association. It is an issue related to the conduct and professional duties of that individual doctor," said Specialist Dr. Chandika Epitakaduwa, Vice President of the Government Medical Officers’ Association.