Questions over newborn and maternal deaths at Chilaw Hospital

A problematic situation has reportedly arisen at the Chilaw District General Hospital as a result of the deaths of three newborn babies and a maternal death all within the span of just 10 days.

This situation has caused fears and a panic among patients who are receiving treatment at the Chilaw Hospital.

Acting Director of the hospital Dr. L. Poddalgoda stated that 3 neonatal deaths and a maternal death within 10 days is an abnormal situation. Dr. Poddalgoda had been appointed as acting director since a month ago.

The first incident occurred on 28th October where a 35 year old mother and her newborn baby had both died.

The second death was the newborn baby of a 21 year old resident of Nallaradankattuwa. The female baby had died on the 4th November.

The death of the newborn baby of a 30 year old from Udappuwa, yesterday (05), marks the third death.

The husband of the deceased mother stated that the baby and the mother had been healthy at the point of admission.  According to him, the doctors they consulted through channeling said that the there was no issue with the baby and the mother. The mother had been expecting her second child and had been admitted to Chilaw Hospital on the 24th October.

“My wife signed the ticket requesting a cesarean (C-Section) procedure for the birth. I request the same. However, this was disregarded. We even talked to the higher administration of the hospital regarding this; which resulted in nothing,” he said.

“They say the baby was birthed in the normal way and both mother and the baby died. They say that the ticket reads that the mother had been against a cesarean surgery”, says the husband.

The husband is now requesting a handwriting match analysis with regard to the statement.

Reportedly, the cause of death of the second baby is the complications due to the increase of the diabetic condition of the 21 year old mother. However, the mother affirms that she did not have any such condition and that the hospital should take the full responsibility of the death.

However, as per the request of the parents, the babies were buried at the Chilaw cemetery today (06), forgoing a postmortem.

Meanwhile, Acting Director of hospital, Dr. Poddalgoda mentioned that relevant units have been informed to check for a spreading of germs.

Although Dr. Poddalgoda had permitted reporters to obtain information and take photographs by entering the hospital premises, the officials in charge of the respective wards had not allowed entry.