Impunity for x-ray Technician

[TamilNet, Thursday, 13 August 1998, 02:59 GMT]
An X - Ray technician at the Batticaloa Hospital, Mr Ibrahim, has been using his connections with the powerful Sri Lanka Muslim Congress an excuse for unprofessional behaviour, said sources in Batticaloa.

On Saturday, Mr Ibrahim was asked to take X - Rays of two murder victims by Dr. K. Chandrapalan, Judicial Medical Officer (JMO). The X- Rays were part of a report that had to be submitted to K. Thiyagarajah, Acting District Judge, Batticaloa.

At first Mr. Ibrahim refused to do so stating that he was not on duty.

This had led to the JMO having to locate the person in charge of the x-ray unit who confirmed that Mr. Ibrahim was on duty.

The matter had come back to the recalcitrant x-ray technician who refused once again.

Finally he was persuaded to take the x-rays, but not before the Acting District Judge left the courts in disgust due to the delay.

The x-ray which could have been taken in one hour and the case completed was delayed so long, that it was 6.00 p.m. before the case was finally disposed of.

By then it was too late for the body to be released on Saturday, and was eventually released only on Sunday morning.

Last week, the victim of an accident was admitted to the Batticaloa Hospital in a critical condition and recommended for immediate surgery.

X-rays were required before the operation, but Mr. Ibrahim refused to x-ray the victim.

When the victim was finally x-rayed and taken to the theatre it was too late and the victim died soon afterwards.

Despite his serious misconduct even senior staff at the hospital have not taken him to task, apprehensive of his connections.

The Director of the Hospital as well as the Hospital Committee, which comprises distinguished members of the community including Members of Parliament, have blamed Mr. Ibrahim for several incidents, the sources added.