Chau Tin-yu, an eight-year-old girl who had been in a vegetative state for nearly four years following a suspected medical error, passed away yesterday after her family made the difficult decision to discontinue life-support measures due to her deteriorating condition, sources said.
On Thursday, Tin-yu's father posted a video on social media, revealing that her condition had worsened and her bowel function had ceased.
As a result, she had been receiving glucose water instead of her regular feed.
However, sources indicate that "her condition further deteriorated today [Sunday], leading her family to make the heartbreaking choice to end her life-support measures. She passed away in the evening."
According to Tin-yu's family, her condition began to worsen in late December last year. They said the doctor had informed them about her failing heart, characterized by low blood pressure and a slower heart rate.
Following adverse reactions, she received cardiac agents, and her blood pressure remained relatively stable in the subsequent week.
Although her condition became somewhat stable, it did not show significant improvement, prompting concerns among her family that the end might be near for the young girl in a vegetative state.
In 2018, Tin-yu was diagnosed with stage 4 rhabdomyosarcoma - a rare cancer that affects muscle tissue. In May 2020, she underwent surgery at Queen Mary Hospital to remove a tumor. Unfortunately, mistakes occurred during the surgery, leading to a 48-minute delay in blood transfusion.
This prolonged period of oxygen deprivation severely damaged her brain, resulting in her vegetative state.
Adding to the family's hardships, Tin-yu's father was diagnosed with cancer last year. After undergoing 25 chemotherapy sessions, he had to undergo surgery to remove cancer cells in his lung in November as well as another surgery in December to remove a tumor from his right arm.
Despite their struggles, the family made efforts to create lasting memories, such as making a hand mold with the assistance of the Children's Cancer Foundation and medical staff.
Last October, the family reached a settlement agreement with the Hospital Authority regarding a civil lawsuit. Although Tin-yu's father reluctantly accepted the settlement as the best option at the time, he remains determined to seek accountability for the doctor's alleged modification of Tin-yu's medical records and pursue a criminal case.
He provided a statement to the police at the Wan Chai police headquarters in the same month, expressing his hope that the investigation would be completed promptly.
The Hospital Authority stated that its legal team would maintain close communication with the family's legal representatives to address the matter. They said the settlement did not imply any party admitting liability.
The Hospital Authority expressed deep concern for Tin-yu's condition and assured her family that the medical team would continue to provide appropriate treatment and care.
michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com
