With confirmed cases of infection reaching 22 and directly related death now at 4, state-run Singapore General Hospital finally broke its silence on the outbreak of hepatitis C within its premises. The largest hospital in Singapore revealed that close to 1,000 patients and health workers must be tested for infection.
These developments have been a blow to the nation especially as it takes pride in its internationally lauded healthcare systems and advanced technological handling. Citizens have expressed outrage over the delay in public warning, with the fifth known case detected as early as May this year.
The outbreak continues to baffle members of the medical community who are unable to pinpoint firm and verified origins of the infection trend. AFP on Yahoo News cited that although a well-established protocol for practitioners is in place, administration of medicines that use mutli-dose vials is the prime suspect.
Dr Desmond Wai of Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital makes this valid point to Channel NewsAsia, "We have certain protocol to follow which is commonsensical and not difficult to understand...If SGH has zeroed in on the use of the vial as a probable cause for the infection, they have to show to us how come other places, other hospitals do not have the same problem."
Despite strict guidelines on multi-dose vial use, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends preferential for the use of single-dose vials. In a March 2010 toolkit, the WHO unequivocally wrote: "Only use multi-dose vials if there is no alternative."
WHO lists unsafe practices of injection, insufficient sterilised medical equipments and contaminated blood transfusions as common avenues by which Hepatitis C is spread.
Channel NewsAsia cites Koh Poh Koon, a surgeon and a Member of Parliament for Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency, in suggesting that human error is a possible culprit in this scenario.
"The first thing we need to establish is whether any human error was involved in this whole administration of medication. And if so, whether we can prevent it by having more protocols that would ensure multi levels of check... We have had so many years of practice, but nothing has happened - that means the process on the whole is very robust."