THE Ministry of Health will launch an independent investigation into the death of 18-month-old Hao Yuan Peng.
This was confirmed by the ministry’s permanent secretary Philip Davies.
The decision comes after a formal letter was written by National Federation Party general secretary Jagannath Sami calling for investigations into the cause of death.
The toddler was the son of Chinese nationals Mei Zhen Lin and Jinda Peng, who alleged their only child died of negligence on the part of health officials.
They appointed Mr Sami to represent them in their bid to find out what happened to their son.
Baby Yuan was taken to Ba Hospital on December 8 with high fever and was later transferred by ambulance to the Lautoka Hospital.
After tests and treatment, baby Yuan’s mother was told he was OK, but was referred for observations at Ba Hospital.
The same evening at the Ba Hospital, he was allegedly given an injection and he died soon after.
Post mortem examination results showed the deceased died from asphyxiation, a condition of severely deficient supply of oxygen to the body that arises from abnormal breathing.
The report indicated this was because of aspiration of gastric content febrile convulsions.
Febrile convulsions occur mostly in 12 to 18-month-old toddlers and are mostly associated with elevated temperatures.
The report also showed baby Yuan had bilateral pneumonia.
The baby was laid to rest in Ba on Thursday.
