A surgeon from Faro Hospital may face a 40-day suspension due to medical negligence that could have led to three deaths.
The case was reported in 2023 by then-intern Diana de Carvalho Pereira, who was under the surgeon’s supervision.
Two years later, she announced this update on social media, writing: “This country is not for the fair or the brave. It’s for those who go with the herd. As I’ve never aspired to be a sheep, I’ll keep walking while there’s energy, time, money, and above all, hope.“
In the photos shared, a page of the Health Activities General Inspectorate (IGAS) deliberation proposes to the ULS of Algarve that the surgeon be suspended for 40 days, losing both salary and seniority.
In its conclusions, IGAS determined that the surgeon violated not only professional duties but also good clinical practices.
“It is thus proven that the defendant, with his negligent conduct, violated the general and special duties attributed to him, consequently incurring disciplinary infractions,” the inquiry concluded.
IGAS supported Diana Pereira’s complaint in five distinct cases, out of the 11 mentioned.
“How much is someone’s health worth? Here is the answer: 8 days,” she noted in the post.
Surgeon alleged to cause accidental castrations, kidney loss, and even death
The inquiry followed a complaint by the intern to the Judicial Police about “11 cases between January and March” at Faro Hospital involving “error/negligence” in the surgery department.
According to the physician, out of the 11 reported patient cases, “three died, two are in intermediate care, and the remaining suffered bodily injuries related to medical error, ranging from accidental castration, kidney loss, or the need for a lifelong colostomy.”
A colostomy is a surgical procedure creating an opening in the abdominal wall connecting the large intestine to an external storage system, aiming to collect the patient’s feces outside their body.
The alleged negligence case—partly validated by IGAS—was publicly shared by Diana Pereira on her social media, leading to inquiries by IGAS, the Health Regulatory Entity (ERS), and the Public Ministry.
Later, at a press conference, the chairman of the Medical Association, Carlos Cortes, stated that this case needs thorough evaluation because “there are indications of some severity.”
In a statement to Lusa, the Ministry of Health also ensured that, at the time, it hadn’t received any complaints about alleged malpractices at the University Hospital Center of Faro (CHUA).
However, following media reports, the “Health Minister [then Manuel Pizarro of the PS] instructed the CHUA Board of Directors to request the OM to conduct an expert evaluation of the Faro Hospital surgery service quality,” the ministry said.
The Health Regulatory Entity (ERS) and the Health Activities General Inspectorate (IGAS) announced today they will investigate the alleged negligence in the surgery department at Faro Hospital for “full clarification” of the allegations.
Lusa | 19:17 – 11/04/2023
