Are they treating or crippling? Doctors caused damage to the health of Latvian residents worth a million euros

In total, over the past year, the Health Insurance Fund reviewed 172 applications for possible harm to health, of which harm was established in 44 cases. In 128 applications, the fund found no harm and refused to pay compensation.

By comparison, in 2022, the Health Insurance Fund examined 146 claims for possible harm to health, and in 37 cases harm was determined, which led to the decision to pay compensation in a total amount of 1.2 million euros.

The right to live

GIZ explains that if medical personnel, through their actions or, conversely, inaction or other circumstances during a medical intervention, caused harm to the health or life of the patient, according to the Law on the Rights of Patients, the patient has the right to compensation for the harm caused. The patient also has the right to compensation for expenses associated with subsequent necessary medical intervention to prevent the consequences of damage caused during medical intervention.

If compensation is requested, the Health Insurance Fund conducts an examination, prepares a conclusion and makes a decision on the presence or absence of harm, as well as on payment or refusal of compensation.

Walked, fell, woke up – plaster

In 2023, the majority of requests to the Fund related to traumatology – a total of 34, in eight cases harm was established.

In the field of surgery, 22 requests for compensation were considered, in seven cases harm was established; in gynecology and obstetrics, 22 requests were considered, in seven cases harm was established.

In dentistry, the total number of requests for compensation considered was 20, and harm was established in three cases, as well as in neurology and neurosurgery, 18 requests were considered, of which harm was established in five cases.

In 2022, also, the majority of requests were related to traumatology – a total of 42, in seven cases harm was established.

Criminal medicine

This is all theory, but this is practice. With a high degree of probability, we can say that the Health Insurance Fund will have to pay for the death of Alina A. In the meantime, it is known that the Zemgale District Court sentenced the former assistant doctor of the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) to suspended imprisonment, Latvian Television reported.

During the wedding celebration, one of the guests, 31-year-old Alina A., was found lying unconscious on the ground. An ambulance was called from Kauguri, where the accused Gints V also worked. He offered to put the victim to bed, but did not take her to the hospital.

The next day, when other doctors finally took Alina to the hospital, her life might not be saved – the woman was declared brain dead. Doctor’s assistant V. was fired from his job.

The Zemgale District Court sentenced V. to a year of imprisonment (suspended) and a four-year ban from practicing medicine for refusing medical care to the victim.

SNMP director Liene Tsipule believes that this was a unique case. “This was not a medical error, but negligence, which should be assessed in court,” Tsipule said.

The court verdict can be appealed – the prosecutor is waiting for the decision of the mother of the deceased woman.