KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Health Department is implementing measures to enhance its services following the death of a teenager who was not properly diagnosed at Tuaran Hospital, said its director Datuk Dr. Asits Sanna.
He responded to a viral social media post about the personnel at the said district hospital initially treated the boy with other conditions , leading to his death from severe dengue complications later.
The incident was shared by Tuaran member of parliament Datuk Seri Dr Wilfred Madius Tangau on his Facebook post after he attended the boy's funeral.
"This department takes this case seriously, and a comprehensive investigation is currently underway to identify corrective actions that can be implemented to improve the quality of healthcare services for the people in the state of Sabah," he said in a statement.
The patient, an 18-year-old male citizen from Kg. Bulieng, Tuaran, arrived at the Emergency and Trauma Department of Tuaran Hospital at 11:23 am on December 25, 2023, with symptoms of epigastric pain and vomiting for a day.
Dr. Asits added that, based on the medical records, the patient did not complain of any other symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, chest pain, or shortness of breath.
Vital signs during treatment were also stable, with a normal temperature reading.
"The patient was treated with gastric medication and anti-vomiting medication through intravenous injection and was allowed to leave after approximately one hour of observation in the observation zone.
"The patient was then allowed to go home with pain relievers, gastric medication but was also advised to return promptly to the hospital if symptoms worsened."
However, on Dec 28, the patient returned at 8:50 am due to symptoms of nosebleeds, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite, which he was then examined by the Emergency Medical Specialist.
That time, he was confirmed to have dengue during this second visit.
Considering the patient's unstable condition at that time, the patient was referred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for further treatment at 11:30 am on the same day.
"However, the patient was confirmed dead in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), QEH, the following day."
Currently, Tuaran Hospital has four specialists on duty, including one general practitioner, two pediatric specialists, and one emergency medical specialist.