The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court has been informed that Dr. Maheshi Wijeratne, a specialist neurosurgeon at Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital, had conducted surgeries on patients who had been declared brain-dead for several days. 

The Bribery Commission had also informed the court that one such surgery took place five days after a patient was declared brain-dead, with the heart kept functioning artificially.

The court was further informed that the accused doctor had also performed unnecessary surgery on patients who could have been treated with drugs alone.

The Bribery Commission had disclosed the information to the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, when the suspect and two of her accomplices were presented to court by authorities yesterday.

Taking into consideration the facts, the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court further remanded the doctor and the two other suspects until 08 July. 

Dr. Maheshi Wijeratne is accused of selling equipment valued at Rs. 50,000 to patients for Rs. 175,000 through a private company she is affiliated with. 

Alleging this resulted in over Rs. 300 million in losses for patients, the Bribery Commission said the doctor violated public service procurement rules by not purchasing surgical items through official hospital procedures. 

The items were instead sold to approximately 300 patients through her private company. 

Since the investigation was launched, at least 77 patients have been confirmed to have suffered financial losses, while 92 additional complaints have been received via telephone. (Newswire)

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Neurosurgeon Dr. Maheshi Wijeratne of the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital and two others, who were arrested over medical equipment fraud, have been further remanded. 

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today ordered the suspects to be remanded until 08 July. 

The Bribery Commission arrested specialist doctor Maheshi Wijeratne and two others this month for selling medical equipment at higher prices through a third party.

Per the facts uncovered thus far by the Bribery Commission, the doctor in question has been selling External Ventricular Drain (EVD) and ventriculoperitoneal (VP) Shunt devices, which are required for neurosurgery, through third parties at a value higher than the market price.

Although the market value of the equipment is between Rs. 30,000 and 60,000, it is reported that she sold them for between Rs. 120,000 and 250,000 with the assistance of the two people currently in remand custody with her.

Based on the information revealed by over 70 patients whose statements have been recorded by the Bribery Commission, the three suspects have earned approximately Rs. 30 million through the fraud. (Newswire)

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