In a rare possible lapse in Singapore’s medical industry, the Singapore General Hospital has come out to apologise over an outbreak of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in one of their renal wards, which left 22 patients infected with the virus.
Out of the 22 infected, four have died since the beginning of the outbreak — noted to have surfaced in early June.
The cluster of acute HCV cases had been flaring up amongst patients with kidney disease admitted to the hospital’s ward 64A or 67. Internal investigations were conducted, precautionary measures were taken, and the Ministry of Health (MOH) were informed.
Though there’re no official declarations to say if SGH responded accordingly and did their best in preventing and controlling the infection breach, the fact that four people have died so far is not sitting well with the MOH.
“I am gravely concerned and disappointed with the occurrence of the cluster of Hepatitis C cases in SGH,” Minister for Health Gan Kim Yong noted in media briefing this afternoon. “My thoughts are with the affected patients and families.”
Since the outbreak, MOH has appointed an independent Review Committee to provide an objective and critical review of SGH’s investigations and findings, which will hopefully garner some pointers to improve Singapore’s healthcare system.
“SGH has assured me that it is committed to the care of its patients and will provide its full support and appropriate care to the affected patients,” added Minister Gan. It will also extend its full cooperation to the independent review.”
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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