Deaths due to postoperative infections increasing at NHSL

Question mark over hygienic conditions at ICUs, OTs

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Health authorities have warned of dire consequences unless urgent action was taken to address growing concerns over postoperative infections at the National Hospital.

Authoritative sources told The Island that the National Hospital has recorded a comparatively higher number of deaths due to postoperative infections in the recent past.

Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr. Asela Gunawardena has been apprised of the situation. Dr. Gunawardena, however, didn’t answer his phone.

Sources found fault with the deteriorated conditions at the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and Operating Theaters (OTs) for those deaths. Sources said that the rot started during the Covid crisis when maintenance of ICUs and OTs were outsourced to a certain extent at the expense of maintaining proper standards.

Subsequently, those who had been tasked with the ,maintenance at ICUs and OTs declined to perform their duties and those top management at the NH were struggling to overcome the crisis.

Sources said that restoration of accepted standards was required to prevent further increase in deaths, following surgery at the country’s premier hospital.