Tuaran Teen's Dengue Death Sparks Investigation Into Potential Hospital Misdiagnosis
This is the second time Tuaran Hospital has been accused of negligence resulting in a patient's death in the last five months.
By Sadho Ram - 03 Jan 2024, 02:39 AM
Cover image via Tuaran Hospital in Sabah is under scrutiny for allegedly misdiagnosing a patient, leading to his death
On 29 December last year, an 18-year-old patient died due to an alleged misdiagnosis at Tuaran Hospital.
Tuaran member of parliament (MP) Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau stated that the patient sought treatment at the hospital for a high fever on 25 December, but the hospital sent the patient home.
"However, on 28 December, the teenager's family brought him to the hospital again because his fever did not subside," he said, adding that the doctors at the hospital sent the patient home after determining that his situation was not severe.
The teenager's family took him to Tuaran Hospital for the third time on 29 December after he experienced bleeding.
Tangau shared that Tuaran Hospital then referred the patient to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where doctors discovered that the patient had contracted severe dengue fever.
The patient, Aidil @ Erjuand Christian, died in the Intensive Care Unit on the same day.
Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau paying his last respects to Aidil at his home in Kampung Buleing, Tamparuli.
Image via Berita Harian
Now, the Sabah State Health Department (JKNS) has initiated an inquiry into Tuaran Hospital for the death of the 18-year-old patient
JKNS director Datuk Dr Asits Sanna said the department was deeply concerned about the death of the teenager from dengue fever, allegedly due to a misdiagnosis at Tuaran Hospital.
He stated that a comprehensive and transparent investigation was underway to identify corrective measures that could enhance the quality of healthcare services for the people of Sabah.
"Currently, the hospital has four specialists on duty, including a general practitioner, two pediatric specialists, and an emergency medicine specialist," he said in a statement yesterday, 2 January.
In August last year, Tuaran Hospital was accused of failing to provide proper treatment to another patient, who was taken to the hospital after suffering a fall. The medical staff on duty, however, found no serious injuries and sent the patient home, resulting in her death, according to Bernama.
