Parents Accuse Authorities of Neglecting Infant in Hong Kong Hospital

The father of two-month-old Danny, Tsang Wai-bong, said on Monday that he and his partner Kwan Pui-sin were only allowed to visit their child in a shelter once a week and accused authorities of neglecting the baby’s need for breastmilk.

According to the unmarried couple, Danny had developed a fever and a cough and was sent to Ruttonjee Hospital’s A&E department in Wan Chai at 3pm on Sunday. He was subsequently transferred to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan at about 10pm.

The parents were told at about 11pm that doctors suggested a possible lumbar puncture to test for meningitis. They arrived at the hospital for further updates at about 1.30am and were told that the procedure could be necessary if Danny’s condition worsened, to check for meningitis or other central nervous system disorders.

According to the Hospital Authority, a lumbar puncture or spinal tap is a common diagnostic procedure performed in child patients. The aim is to obtain cerebrospinal fluid for examination or to measure the pressure inside a patient’s skull.

The couple said that one parent was allowed to stay overnight in the ward to accompany Danny, and that the child’s condition had improved significantly after he had been breastfed by Kwan.