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Rubella vaccination probe:
WHO team arrive today
L. S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI
Two World Health Organisation vaccine experts from the WHO regional
office, New Delhi, Dr. Suchard Geheart and Dr. Madhav will arrive in
Colombo this afternoon on the request made by Minister Nimal Siripala de
Silva who is also the Chairman, WHO to make their own investigation into
the death of Hansini, Healthcare, Nutrition and Uva Wellassa Development
Ministry Secretary Dr. Kahandaliyanage said.
The reports and findings of a full scale investigation ordered by
President Mahinda Rajapaksa with experts called in, to go into the cause
of death of the year 8 school girl, Peshala Hansini of Matara, who died
after she was administered a rubella vaccination by the public health
personnel at Matara, would be handed over to the Minister of Healthcare
and Nutrition Nimal Siripala de Silva by today, Ministry SecretaryDr.
Athula Kahandaliyanage told the Sunday Observer yesterday (21).
The team of local doctors headed by Deputy Director General, Public
Health, Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition, Dr. Palitha Mahipala and
specialists from the Ministry’s Epidemiology Unit had completed their
investigations and were preparing their report to be handed over to the
minister yesterday, he noted.
He also said that the date of expiry of the rubella vaccine
administered to Hansini was November 2009, contrary to claims made by
certain elements that the vaccine was outdated. The condition of the 26
other children who had become sick after being given the vaccine at
Matara was now improving including the two children whose condition was
reported to be serious.
Asked about the letter sent by the mother of Hansini to be handed
over to the team of medical personnel who administered the rubella
vaccine he did not wish to comment on it since the investigation report
was not out yet.
Stern action would be taken against anyone who was found to have been
careless or had not performed their duties in accordance with the
required standards of administration of vaccine.
It was a very serious matter and incidents of this nature should be
avoided. The investigation was impartial and transparent, Dr.
Kahandaliyanage said.
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