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The Department of Health (DH) continues to investigate a cluster of hypoglycemia patients with history of receiving treatment from a medical practitioner, Dr Li Ming, at his clinic on 5/F, 14-16 Wo Fung Street, Luen Wo Hui, Fanling. As of 5pm today (April 2), a total of three cases were reported to the DH.
The DH received notification from the Hospital Authority of a cluster of two hypoglycemia patients in the late hours of March 30 and immediately commenced investigation. An additional case was reported to the DH today.
The three patients are respectively an 85-year-old man, a 72-year-old man and an 87-year-old woman, all of whom did not have an apparent history of diabetes. The two male patients were prescribed with gliclazide, an oral hypoglycemic agent, on March 27 while the female patient was prescribed with the same drug on March 26.
The 85-year-old man developed dizziness on March 29, the 72-year-old man developed confusion on March 30 and the 87-year-old woman lost consciousness on March 29. All three patients were admitted to North District Hospital via the Accident and Emergency Department and are currently in stable condition.
A DH spokesman said, "Preliminary investigation revealed that, according to the doctor concerned, the blood glucose meter used on March 26 and 27 had been defective and the readings might have been inaccurate."
The spokesman said that patients who have been newly dispensed with oral hypoglycemic agents in March have been contacted by the doctor. In addition to the three patients who have been admitted, another 69-year-old woman was prescribed with gliclazide by Dr Li on March 27 but she did not take the drug.
"Patients who have consulted and been prescribed with oral hypoglycemic agents by the above doctor, and are feeling unwell, should immediately seek medical consultation," the spokesman urged.
The DH is continuing its investigation and may consider referring the case to the Medical Council of Hong Kong for follow-up action.
Ends/Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Issued at HKT 20:12
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