Death from Dental Abscess Sparks 5-Year Investigation Standstill

Medical Negligence Investigation Delayed by Bureaucratic Deadlock

CYPRUS: A medical negligence investigation into the death of Kulwinder Singh, who died at Larnaca General Hospital in April 2020, has reached its fifth year without progress due to administrative conflicts between police and health authorities, according to a recent report from in-cyprus.philenews.com. The case centers on Singh’s death during surgery for a tooth abscess, raising questions about medical procedures during the early COVID-19 period.

Cause of Death and Post-Mortem Complications

A coroner’s investigation determined that Singh’s death occurred due to obstruction from fluid aspiration. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions at the time, the post-mortem examination was delayed by six weeks after the death. According to the family’s legal representative, Pieros Zapounis, this delay may have compromised the forensic findings.

Legal Representation and Investigative Hurdles

The victim’s sister initiated legal proceedings through attorney Zapounis, leading to an investigation by Larnaca Police Minor Offences Department. The investigation has since stalled due to disagreements between the police and State Health Services Organisation (SHSO) regarding the appointment of an independent medical expert, with multiple appointed medical officers declining to participate.

Efforts to Move Investigation Forward

Zapounis has engaged in extensive correspondence with multiple authorities, including the Chief of Police, SHSO, Attorney General, and Ministry of Health. In his most recent communication from October 2024, he proposed bringing in a foreign medical expert to ensure an unbiased investigation. However, these communications have reportedly gone unanswered.

COVID-19 Impact on Healthcare Delivery

The report notes that Singh’s admission occurred during COVID-19 restrictions, which created staffing challenges at the hospital. According to Zapounis, these restrictions resulted in limited access to experienced nursing staff during Singh’s treatment.

Parallel Cases and Ongoing Concerns

The investigation’s standstill is not unique. A similar case involving 74-year-old Ktoris Neofytou faces comparable delays for the same bureaucratic reasons. The presence of private forensic pathologist Panicos Stavrianou during Singh’s autopsy has yet to be formally acknowledged in the investigation, while Zapounis maintains that the case should be classified as homicide by medical negligence.