Family Demands Investigation into 15-year-old Girl’s Death at Lautoka Hospital

The parents of a 15-year-old girl are demanding an investigation into her death after undergoing five medical procedures at the Aspen Medical Fiji-managed Lautoka Hospital.

According to Saiyad Shamim Shah and Sheetal Shamini Pillay, their daughter, Shafia Shafrana Shah, was admitted to the hospital on April 18 and died on May 12.

Initially diagnosed with appendicitis, young Shafia underwent an appendectomy followed by four additional operations.

Despite these interventions, she succumbed after the fourth procedure.

“One simple appendectomy landed her in the ICU ward. We want an investigation to be done because the doctors are not telling us anything,” a distraught Mr Shah said.

Post-mortem

The post-mortem result attributed Shafia’s death to disseminated intravascular coagulation, resulting from sepsis secondary to duodenal perforation and multiple organ failure.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation, as per the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, causes abnormal blood clotting throughout the body, often due to infection or injury affecting the body’s clotting process.

Mr Shah raised concerns against the excessive administration of painkillers, gastric tablets, and fentanyl, which he claimed may have contributed to Shafia’s demise.

He also expressed dismay over the medical staff ’s lack of concern and the withholding of the second operation report.

Describing his daughter’s deteriorating condition, Mr Shah recounted how Shafia continued to experience pain even after the initial operation.

Despite repeated X-rays and additional surgeries to address pus discharge, the parents claimed Shafia’s condition worsened.

They further claimed their requests for medical reports went unanswered, with hospital staff citing confidentiality.

Mr Shah also pointed out Shafia’s inability to tolerate food and persistent vomiting further complicated her situation.

Despite interventions like tube insertions and vacuum dressings, Shafia’s condition continued to deteriorate.

Doctors informed the family of various complications, including pneumonia and low blood platelet count, but Mr Shah claimed they failed to provide definitive explanations for Shafia’s worsening condition.

Ultimately, Shafia was placed on life support for seven days following her fourth operation. Despite efforts to identify and address the source of her deteriorating health, Mr Shah claimed Shafia’s condition continued to worsen.

The family was called in for a critical operation, only to be informed later that her condition was too precarious for further intervention.

“At 6am on Monday, they called and told us to come quickly because she was very sick but as soon as we came, we saw all the life machines on zero and realised she has passed away,” Mr Shah said.

A spokesperson for Aspen Medical Fiji expressed condolences to the family, but declined to discuss specifics to the media, citing patient confidentiality.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services referred all queries to Aspen Medical Fiji.

An anonymous medical expert who spoke to Fiji Sun noted discrepancies in the initial diagnosis, suggesting stomach perforation rather than appendicitis.

The expert emphasised the complexity of the case and the need for thorough testing to determine the underlyin cause.

In light of these circumstances, the family is calling for a comprehensive investigation into Shafia’s death to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

“Our child is gone, and we don’t want any other parents to go through the same thing,” Mr Shah said emotionally.

“It’s not easy to lose someone, but Shafia’s gone. Yet, we still don’t have any answers.”

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