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Politicians’ antics, relatives’ threats after patient’s death close hospital
It’s not often that one sees a shirtless politician using a dog chain to tie himself up to a lorry, in protest. But that is exactly what rather flamboyant United National Party Kalutara District Parliamentarian Palith Thewarapperuma did last week as he engaged in a fast-unto-death campaign demanding the Badureliya Hospital in the district be re-opened.
Palith Thewarapperuma engaging in a fast-unto-death campaign
The MP who was the first to be treated at the hospital on Friday after it was re-opened following a six day closure, told the Sunday Times he resorted to a hunger strike demanding the doctors resume duty after some unrest at the hospital following the death of a patient.
The 74-year-old patient had been brought to the hospital but died on the way when he was being transferred to the Nagoda Hospital, the main hospital in Kalutara District. Groups under the influence of liquor entered the hospital premises, threatening the doctors and attempting to assault them citing their ignorance was the cause of death. As a result, doctors of the hospital withdrew from duties
“This issue would have been solved easily if there was no political involvement. First a provincial council member of the government got involved and made the issue worse by threatening and shouting.
He was making statements at the funeral. Then an Opposition politician commenced a fast campaign. We are professionals and political interference will not do any good. These are cheap publicity stunts before the forthcoming elections,” said Dr. Naveen de Soyza, Spokesman to the Government Medical Officers Association.
Triggered by political protests, last week, Badureliya town saw street protests, closing of shops, private bus operators withdrawing service and hundreds of police officers deployed with heavy security.
“The patient was also under the influence of liquor and he had suffered a full dysfunction of the heart. But other drunken family members and relatives created a violent environment with death threats to doctors. A hospital is not a place for political agendas. There are only three doctors in the hospital and daily about 350 patients are being treated with about 20 deliveries per month,” Dr. Soyza said. However the Opposition MP said he had no political motive and was concerned about public welfare. “Doctors cannot just abandon patients for almost a week. There were expecting mothers and elderly who had to be sent back because the hospital was closed. Although there was heavy police presence preventing us going near the hospital, I was taken to the hospital in a police vehicle. People in the area too protested,” he said.
Following discussions with Deputy Health Minister Lalith Dissanayake, Transport Minister Kumara Welgama, Western Province Health Minister and Health Ministry Secretary, doctors have agreed to resume work with the safety of doctors assured, Health Ministry sources said.