The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna

¶ 01 Good morning, Hon. Speaker. Under Standing Order 27(2), to the Hon. Minister of Health:

¶ 02 Death of 12-year-old girl Kuganeshan Dinoja from Silawatta, Mullaitivu, reportedly admitted due to food allergy. There were public protests seeking a fair investigation. On behalf of the people of Mullaitivu, I ask:

¶ 03 1. Date/time of admission to Mancholai (Mankulam area) hospital. 2. Name of OPD doctor, and time of transfer to Paediatric Ward. 3. Whether a paediatric consultant is attached; if so, name. 4. If no consultant, name of senior medical officer for paediatrics; was he/she on duty that day? 5. Category of the hospital; name and residence of the Medical Superintendent. 6. Latest approved cadre for doctors and specialists; and current actuals. 7. Whether the MS was absent on the day (reportedly in Colombo); are you aware? 8. Time admitted to paediatric ward and time first seen thereafter by a medical officer. 9. Whether food-allergy signs were present; what treatment was given? 10. Whether medications given were within scope of a general doctor in absence of a consultant. 11. Whether parents were counselled on the medicines; was consent documented with signatures? 12. Whether death was communicated properly to parents. 13. Whether the MS reported the death to Police as a medico-legal case. 14. Whether the Ministry commenced a legal/disciplinary preliminary inquiry; will the report be submitted to Parliament? 15. In the preliminary inquiry, was any fault identified and has the treating doctor been interdicted? 16. Was a post-mortem conducted; what is the cause of death per the 2001 guidelines? 17. Public allege the administration is protecting the doctor and misleading the public; your response?