Singapore’s oldest and biggest flagship hospital, the Singapore General Hospital (SGH), known to provide affordable and quality healthcare, is potentially facing another legal suit involving the death of Wang Yangting, a bride-to-be who got sick and was later on diagnosed by SGH doctors with tonsillitis.

The allegation was made by Wang Fuyao, Yangting’s brother. Fuyao’s allegation is based on the belief that the hospital failed to detect that his sister is suffering from a severe case of acute epiglottitis. SGH was accused of negligence after Fuyao claimed to meticulously review his sister’s medical records.

According to the Shin Min Daily News, Yanting planned to get married in November 2015 and that wedding invitations have been sent out. Her fate had a drastic turnaround when on August 19, Yangting’s fever skyrocketed to 41-degrees. Her fiancee attempted to bring her to the hospital but on their way fainted at the car park. She was rushed to the hospital on an ambulance.

Yangting’s family was told that her blood cell level was extremely low and that she had difficulty swallowing her saliva. She could not even talk and had difficulty breathing indicating that she was in very bad shape.

The horrible acute epiglottitis
Acute epiglottitis can be initiated by bacteria (such as Haemophilus influenzae type B), viruses (such as herpes simplex), fungi (such as Candida albicans), and non-infectious insults (such as physical trauma, chemicals, and heat). Clinical features include stridor, dyspnoea, and drooling.

Epiglottitis can be an extremely lethal condition in adults. Vital clues include the tripod sign, fever, stridor, sore throat, odynophagia, shortness of breath, and drooling.

SGH’s response
Singapore General Hospital authorities calmly reacted stating that post-morten findings indicated that Yangting’s death was triggered by natural causes and that no investigation was necessary.

Hospital authorities likewise emphasized that Yanting was continuously monitored and that her condition was thoroughly assessed by hospital staff.

In 2016, a 51-year-old Indian-origin Singapore woman also filed a lawsuit against SGH and its doctors for SG$8.72 million in damages after complications from a urological procedure which led to the amputation of her limbs.