COURT ORDERS TO PAY RS.30 MILLION AS COMPENSATION TO DISABLED CHILD

CHILD BORN WITH DISABILITY DUE TO MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE ● The court has awarded the compensation for the child’s well-being

The Colombo District Court has ordered the State to pay a sum of Rs.30 million as compensation to a disabled child following the revelation that her mother had given birth to her as a disabled child due to the negligence on the part of the doctors and staff of the Gampaha District Hospital. Colombo Additional District Judge Kalhari Liyanage made this order pursuant to a lawsuit filed by child and her mother against medical negligence on the part of the hospital administration.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Attorney General were named as the defendants of this lawsuit.

The court has awarded the compensation for the child’s well-being after taking into consideration the long-term impacts of the child’s disability.

It was revealed that the complainant’s mother had attended to the maternity clinic at Gampaha District Hospital in May 2012 and given birth to a disabled girl due to the negligent actions of the doctors and staff at Gampaha District Hospital.

The complaints alleged medical negligence during labour resulted in a disability for life.