Final countdown may have started for vegetative girl Chau Tin-yu: family

The final countdown may have started for eight-year-old girl Chau Tin-yu, who has remained in a vegetative state since a suspected medical blunder three years ago, her family said on Saturday. 

The family wrote on Facebook that the doctor believes Chau’s heart is starting to fail as her blood pressure stays at a low level and her heart is beating slower. 

“Since last week the doctor has been giving Tin-yu some cardiac agent but it is not very useful,” the family said. 

“[The doctor] said on Thursday that Tin-yu’s situation is not optimistic and she may not make it through this time.” 

Chau’s father said allowing his daughter to go to heaven in peace may be a better option and although he has been prepared over the past few years, he can hardly describe his heartbreak when the time finally comes. 

He continued that there is not much to be done and he only wants to keep Tin-yu company for as long as possible. He also called on the public to pray for Tin-yu. 

Chau was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma in October 2018 and her condition once improved after undergoing chemotherapy. 

Yet, during a procedure to remove a tumor in Queen Mary Hospital in May 2020, there was a 48-minute delay in blood transfusion and Chau has since remained in a vegetative state. 

Chau’s family had filed a civil lawsuit against the Hospital Authority and the two sides came to a settlement this October. Still, Chau’s father has vouched that he will continue to pursue the hospital’s criminal liability. 

Also read: Civil lawsuit between girl in vegetative state and Hospital Authority ends, for now