SINGAPORE — A patient in her late 50s who has been warded since July after being infected with hepatitis C during the outbreak at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) is on the road to recovery, said her niece yesterday (Dec 9).

The condition of the renal failure patient had initially taken a turn for the worse when TODAY first spoke to the niece in October.

While the patient has been admitted to the intensive care unit several times over the past few months, she is currently in a regular ward and undergoing physiotherapy.

“Her muscles have weakened, so she needs physiotherapy to build them up and help her move,” said the 31-year-old niece, a healthcare worker who wanted to be known only as Ms Tan.

Her aunt is expected to be discharged in one to two months.

Her family will await a compensation offer from the hospital, she added. “I believe the hospital will make a fair offer. They’re already taking care of the medical bills, which are quite a lot,” she said.

Suffering from renal failure over the past 15 years, the patient first went to the hospital in June after she felt unwell. It was only after multiple tests — no symptoms showed up in the initial screenings — that she was diagnosed with hepatitis C and was warded at SGH.

The hospital has met with the affected patients and their families to provide “full support”, and Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said on Tuesday that compensation would be part of the process, which will take its due course.

An independent review committee has found that the hepatitis C virus outbreak in SGH earlier this year was probably caused by various factors, including gaps in the hospital’s infection prevention and control measures.

The outbreak in two wards of SGH between April and August affected 25 patients — eight of whom have since died — and led to more than 1,000 being called for tests.

For seven of the eight deceased patients, the committee found that the hepatitis C virus found in their bodies contributed to, or directly caused, their deaths.

Miss Tan said the family was not surprised by the committee’s findings.

“It’s expected. From the very beginning, we expected that it’s human error or lapses. (The outbreak) couldn’t have just happened like that. Not much more can be done for the patients. They’re already getting treatment. But the (committee’s) report could prevent future mistakes, and that’s good for the whole medical board,” she said.

Following SGH’s acceptance of the committee’s findings, lawyers interviewed by TODAY pointed out that the affected patients and their families have a strong case for legal recourse. “There was an admission. There’s a lapse and fault. The liability of damages is conceded,’ said Mr Ramasamy Chettiar of Acies Law.

The hospital is likely to try for an out-of-court settlement with the parties involved, said Mr Jenson Lee, a director at Engelin Teh Practice. “Usually, hospitals would want to settle this as soon as possible, because of the possible reputation risks,” he added.

Should discussions fall through, the patients and their families could then start legal proceedings. An estimation of damages — ranging from existing medical bills to potential expenses and losses — will have to be submitted by the plaintiff. Drawing up the quantum of damages may be problematic, said lawyers.

Patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection could develop cirrhosis — or hardening — of the liver within 20 to 30 years.

Noting that medical negligence suits have to be filed three years from the date of knowledge, Mr Chettiar said: “If the virus is active and already showing harm, then it’s clear-cut. But this virus can be dormant. So, when is it expected to show its ugly head and become potent?”