Tense situation at Galaha hospital after infant dies

• Residents attack hospital staff alleging death due to medical negligence 

 Riot police and STF was deployed yesterday to contain the tense situation at Galaha hospital after an infant died allegedly due to a lack of treatment. 

The family and relatives who brought the infant to be attended at the Galaha hospital had allegedly attempted to attack two doctors after the infant died last morning, police said. The relatives had complained that the infant died because of alleged medical negligence. 

“The angry relatives attacked the hospital causing damage to two hospital vehicles and several windows,” Police Spokesperson Ruwan Gunasekara told Daily FT.

The police had used tear gas to control the angry mob outside the hospital while the two doctors had been escorted out of the premises. 

The Police has deployed both riot police and Special Task Force officers to contain the situation. All medical staff at the hospital were evacuated from the premises. 

According to Gunasekara, the police had brought the situation under control by last evening, but security remained on the premises. 

Police are yet to carry out investigations into the death of the infant and the alleged medical negligence, Gunasekara said. (DT)