The Health Ministry has initiated a special investigation into the tragic death of a two-month-old baby who was denied treatment at the new hospital in Kamburugamuwa, Matara District.
The infant, who had choked on milk, was refused admission, leading to her death.
Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Palitha Mahipala ordered the probe, and a separate hospital-level investigation is also underway.
The incident occurred on July 3 when the baby, experiencing complications after feeding, was rushed to the hospital by her parents. Upon arrival, they were informed by hospital security that the emergency room was not operational and their child could not be admitted.
Despite the parents' desperate pleas to use an ambulance or gain access to the facility, their requests were denied.
They then took the baby to Matara General Hospital, located approximately 10 kilometers away, where doctors pronounced the infant dead. Medical staff indicated that the child could have been saved if she had arrived 30 minutes earlier.
