Savita’s death inquiry report says, incident was avoidable
London: Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar died as a result of a litany of failures by hospital staff, a leaked draft of a probe report said.
The leaked Health Service Executive (HSE) report published by The Independent newspaper “proves” her family’s claim that her death was avoidable as she had asked for an abortion several times before she died.
Other failures included tests showing possible blood infection not being followed up by staff and general lack of clarity as her condition grew progressively worse.
Her husband, Praveen Halappanvar said he was in no “condition to make any statement. The family is shocked about the report being leaked”.
His solicitor, Gerard O’Donnell said it is essential that he is given an opportunity to ensure there were no inaccuracies in the report on his wife’s death at Galway University Hospital last year and demanded a copy of the HSE report before it is finalised.
Irish minister for health, James Reilly, has offered to provide Praveen with the final report before it is published but O’Donnell said that would be too late.
The full inquest into Savita’s death is expected to begin on April 8 at Galway Courthouse but it may be delayed as requests for key documents from the HSE on behalf of Savita’s husband have allegedly been ignored.
The case has re-ignited the debate around the Republic of Ireland’s stringent anti-abortion laws and the country’s Fine Gael-Labour coalition has said it would bring in legislation and regulation on the issue by the middle of this year.
