South Asian Business news and information

Minivan News reports:

A Malé doctor and several overseas paediatricians have told them the antibiotic was inappropriate in her case and was probably the cause of her hearing loss.

No help has been given to the family to deal with her condition since the child lost her hearing in July 2007, and only minimal assistance offered for her medical costs.

The Rf 7.1 million would pay for cochlear implants, the child’s only hope of regaining her hearing, along with six-monthly maintenance for the rest of her life and associated costs for travel and care.

In July 2007, the child was treated for fever and swollen arm to Thinadhoo Regional Hospital. During a pus removal operation, she was injected with two 80 mgm gentamycin antibiotics. Normally, this injection is recommended for serious infections such as meningitis. The doctor could not find any pus. The next day, she received a third injection and on 16^th July, another operation was done. Within four days of the operation, the child started complaining about blockage in her ears.

Now, the child is going through serious difficulties. She always remains angry. Her hearing loss also affected her speech. She can not go to school and suffering from many other difficulties.

After being confirmed that her hearing loss is directly connected to the ototoxicity caused by gentamycin, the child’s parents sued the Ministry of health. In the beginning, they visited the Ministry of Health and Social Service but none of them showed any interest in the case. Social Security service gave $300 and tickets to Trivandrum.    

Such cases of medical negligence can be found in developed countries as well. The main difference however is that in developed countries, the government may pay the compensation but in case of an under-developed country like Maldives, there is very little scope of paying such a large amount. The child is very young with a very innocent looking face. Looking at her picture and thinking about the mental trauma she is going through would make anyone feel sad. If any of you from Maldives reading this entry, Please help this child in whatever way you can to return to a normal life.

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