By Kushali Atukorale
The 26 other students who were admitted to Matara General Hospital following the Rubella vaccination were taken ill due to fear and anxiety on witnessing a fellow student falling gravely ill following the vaccination and not due to any fault of the injection, claims the Ministry of Healthcare.

Media Spokesman to the Ministry of Healthcare, W.M.D. Wanninayaka told The Nation that nearly 26 students were hospitalised due to fear after witnessing the complications faced by Peshala Hansala (12) who was a grade eight student in St. Thomas Girls’ College.

Wanninayaka also said that two experts in vaccination and virology attached to World Health Organisation (WHO) will arrive today in Colombo to hold an investigation in order to find those responsible for the incident. The injected vaccination is to expire next November.

Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has ordered to conduct a transparent investigation to punish the guilty. It is alleged that the Registered Medical Officers (RMO) who were present at the vaccination site had ignored a letter given by the parents of the deceased stating that their daughter was suffering from an allergy and therefore asking to test the suitability of the vaccine before administering it to the child,” he said.

Meanwhile, Matara General Hospital Director Dr. Aruna Jayasekara speaking about the condition of the remaining students said that the other students who are currently undergoing treatments were admitted due to fear and worry.

“Twenty six students were admitted in total and out of that six students were discharged and the rest too will be discharged within a day or two as they are perfectly alright,” he said.

Dr. Jayasekara also said that these students were admitted as they were suffering from headaches, breathing problems and dizziness. The students were given saline water to keep them healthy and prevent dehydration.

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) condemning the incident questioned the reason for sending RMOs alone for a school vaccination programme without a qualified doctor.

“There are enough doctors available around the clock, therefore, why could not the authority allocate one or two doctors? At least the RMOs should have considered the letter which was sent by the parents. A family lost their child due to the apparent irresponsibility of the RMOs,” GMOA Spokesman Dr. Upul Gunasekara alleged.

Peshala Hansala (12) was among the 26 school girls who were admitted to the Matara General Hospital after being administered the Rubella vaccination on March 19. She died the following day.

Meanwhile, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has called for an immediate investigation into the death of the school girl and has ordered to discontinue the usage of the vaccination for the time being, while Minster of Education Susil Premajayantha has taken immediate steps to suspend Rubella vaccination programme till the situation is cleared.

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