One of Norway’s biggest hospitals, Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen, was hit by heavy criticism this week from state health authorities following the death of a little boy who was being treated for a brain tumor. Hospital administrators apologized on national television for what became a fatal mistake by the doctor involved, and he has been put on sick leave himself.
The doctor had inadvertently mixed up two hypodermic needles connected to the six-year-old boy’s chemotherapy. The shot that was supposed to be injected intravenously was instead injected into the boy’s brain. He lapsed into a coma and died 10 days later.
His family is distraught and health authorities are now evaluating filing police charges against the doctor and other hospital staff that can result in prison terms of three months. The parents of the six-year-old are also expected to file compensation claims with the state.
newsinenglish.no staff
