Ireland drops three doctors from Savita probe panel
23 Nov 2012 4:57 AM IST
Ireland has dropped three doctors of the Galway University Hospital from the team that will probe death of Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar, who died due to pregnancy-related complications after being denied abortion.
An announcement in this regard was made by Prime Minister Enda Kenny in the Parliament barely within hours of unveiling of a seven-member team to probe the tragic death.
Savita's husband Praveen Halappanavar had earlier refused to talk to the investigators, saying he would not consent to their viewing his wife's medical records as three of the Galway hospital's senior doctors were part of the team. ‘The three doctors will not be part of the investigation and therefore different personnel who are competent, who are experienced and who have no connection to Galway University Hospital will be appointed,’ Kenny said.
Kenny said that the doctors will be replaced by officials who have ‘no connection at all’ with the Galway hospital to ensure that the probe remains ‘utterly independent’.
The decision was taken ‘to have regard for the traumatic effect on Savita's husband and family and in the greater public interest at large’, Kenny said, adding that the move, by no way, ‘impugns the integrity’ of the doctors. He expressed hope that the investigation will be able to ascertain the truth, facts and circumstances surrounding the ‘very tragic’ death of Savita.
‘A man's wife has died. Nothing will bring her back, But it is important for our country, for our people, for the family, for everybody concerned to ascertain the truth of what happened here. And this investigation can hopefully do that with the cooperation of Mr Halappanavar,’ Kenny said.
Savita's husband Praveen did not immediately respond to the decision. Praveen had previously faulted the Irish probe on the ground that it was not going to be a public inquiry involving witnesses testifying under oath.
In an interview with The Irish Times, he had said he doubted Ireland would have done anything public had he not spoken out.
Praveen said he received no communication from the hospital and Health Services Executive during the two weeks following his wife's death. ‘It is a pity because I thought Ireland would care more for someone so young who died. That let me down. Maybe Savita was born to change the laws here,’ he said. Probe team's head Sabaratnam Arulkumaran had earlier hoped of a face-to-face meeting with Praveen to persuade him change his mind about talking to investigators, as his testimony on his wife's care would be central to identifying problems.
KENNY APPEALS TO SAVITA’S HUSBAND TO COOPERATE
Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny on Wednesday appealed to the husband of Savita Halappanavar, an Indian dentist who died due to pregnancy-related complications after being denied abortion, to meet the head of the team probing her death, amid his demand for a full public investigation.
Kenny said Savita’s husband Praveen could meet Sabaratnam Arulkumaran, the Chairman of the team, without prejudice to his views or his future feelings towards the investigation.
‘Comments attributed to the man (Praveen) in the national newspapers are very different than what I see emanating from the legal team,’ Kenny said. In his remarks in Parliament, Fianna Fail party leader Micheal Martin said Minister for Health James Reilly should have had contact with Praveen. ‘And nobody would have cast any aspersions on such contact,’ he added.
Martin said that if contact had been made, ‘We might not be where we are now in terms of the progression of this particular issue.’
He said he did not think it was appropriate to be making public appeals to Praveen, given the circumstances, and that he was grieving because of the loss of his wife.
According to the Irish Times, Kenny said he believed it was in everybody’s interest that the Chairman of the probe team should have a meeting with the husband of the deceased. ‘I am not suggesting any manipulation at all, deputy,’ he added.
An announcement in this regard was made by Prime Minister Enda Kenny in the Parliament barely within hours of unveiling of a seven-member team to probe the tragic death.
Savita's husband Praveen Halappanavar had earlier refused to talk to the investigators, saying he would not consent to their viewing his wife's medical records as three of the Galway hospital's senior doctors were part of the team. ‘The three doctors will not be part of the investigation and therefore different personnel who are competent, who are experienced and who have no connection to Galway University Hospital will be appointed,’ Kenny said.
Kenny said that the doctors will be replaced by officials who have ‘no connection at all’ with the Galway hospital to ensure that the probe remains ‘utterly independent’.
The decision was taken ‘to have regard for the traumatic effect on Savita's husband and family and in the greater public interest at large’, Kenny said, adding that the move, by no way, ‘impugns the integrity’ of the doctors. He expressed hope that the investigation will be able to ascertain the truth, facts and circumstances surrounding the ‘very tragic’ death of Savita.
‘A man's wife has died. Nothing will bring her back, But it is important for our country, for our people, for the family, for everybody concerned to ascertain the truth of what happened here. And this investigation can hopefully do that with the cooperation of Mr Halappanavar,’ Kenny said.
Savita's husband Praveen did not immediately respond to the decision. Praveen had previously faulted the Irish probe on the ground that it was not going to be a public inquiry involving witnesses testifying under oath.
In an interview with The Irish Times, he had said he doubted Ireland would have done anything public had he not spoken out.
Praveen said he received no communication from the hospital and Health Services Executive during the two weeks following his wife's death. ‘It is a pity because I thought Ireland would care more for someone so young who died. That let me down. Maybe Savita was born to change the laws here,’ he said. Probe team's head Sabaratnam Arulkumaran had earlier hoped of a face-to-face meeting with Praveen to persuade him change his mind about talking to investigators, as his testimony on his wife's care would be central to identifying problems.
KENNY APPEALS TO SAVITA’S HUSBAND TO COOPERATE
Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny on Wednesday appealed to the husband of Savita Halappanavar, an Indian dentist who died due to pregnancy-related complications after being denied abortion, to meet the head of the team probing her death, amid his demand for a full public investigation.
Kenny said Savita’s husband Praveen could meet Sabaratnam Arulkumaran, the Chairman of the team, without prejudice to his views or his future feelings towards the investigation.
‘Comments attributed to the man (Praveen) in the national newspapers are very different than what I see emanating from the legal team,’ Kenny said. In his remarks in Parliament, Fianna Fail party leader Micheal Martin said Minister for Health James Reilly should have had contact with Praveen. ‘And nobody would have cast any aspersions on such contact,’ he added.
Martin said that if contact had been made, ‘We might not be where we are now in terms of the progression of this particular issue.’
He said he did not think it was appropriate to be making public appeals to Praveen, given the circumstances, and that he was grieving because of the loss of his wife.
According to the Irish Times, Kenny said he believed it was in everybody’s interest that the Chairman of the probe team should have a meeting with the husband of the deceased. ‘I am not suggesting any manipulation at all, deputy,’ he added.
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