SGH Hepatitis C Scandal: Workers’ Party calls out for investigation into delayed announcement

Twenty days since the hepatitis c scandal at Singapore General Hospital came to public light, it is still unknown how the deadly outbreak started in the first place. With eight dead out of the 23 people infected with the virus, questions were raised — the loudest of which comes from Leon Perera of the Workers’ Party. 

The Non-Constituency Member of Parliament-Elect called out for a Committee of Inquiry to investigate why there was significant delay between the discovery of the cluster (in April/May) and the notification of the Ministry of Health. 

The very same question is on the minds of the public. The outbreak was noted to have surfaced earlier on in the year, but the public was notified and went through medical screenings only recently, after four infected patients died. 

“It is tragic that four individuals may have lost their lives as a result of these infections in one of our leading healthcare institutions, and one more person may have died for reasons possibly related to the infections,” noted Perera in the Workers’ Party press release

“The outbreak and the government’s response to it have exposed potential gaps in our public health protection protocols. Aside from the risk to human life, the matter has considerable implications for Singapore’s status as an international business and tourism hub.” 

In response, the Ministry of Health (MOH) hits back that they’ll only convene the Committee of Inquiry if Workers’ Party substantiates their allegations: 

“The WP statement is careful not to make any suggestion that SGH or MOH officers acted with improper motives. Yet it has asked for a COI ahead of the Committee’s report and the conclusion of Police investigations.”

MOH also assured that the Independent Review Committee as well as the police currently working on the case will make their findings public soon. 

Perera then takes issue with the MOH’s offensive stance, calling the ministry’s reference to allegations “confusing, distracting and unhelpful”. 

“The burden of responsibility resides with the government in this matter,” Perera replied. “We reiterate our call for a COI based on the arguments made in our earlier statement today which have not been substantively addressed by today’s MOH statement.”

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