A public denunciation of the treatment of a patient at the Durrës Regional Hospital has turned into a scandal of large proportions, as in addition to accusations of abandoning a citizen in serious condition, the health institution has also been at the center of criticism for publishing the patient’s confidential medical data.
The case has sparked strong reactions, while raising questions not only about the way patients are treated, but also about the respect for fundamental rights and professional ethics by public institutions.
Denunciation: Patient was left in the Fishing Port
Journalist Osman Stafa published a video on social networks, accusing the Durrës Regional Hospital and the Ministry of Health of having lied to public opinion regarding the case of a 52-year-old man, identified by the initials AA, known as “Tani”.
According to the Staff, the patient was transported by ambulance and left at the premises of the Durrës Fishing Port, where he stayed for a night and a day, without being handed over to his family, contrary to what was claimed in official statements.
“The Durrës Hospital and the Ministry of Health are lying when they say they left him with a family member. They left him inside the port, where there are no family members, houses or people living there,” the journalist declared.
According to him, the patient had previously been admitted to a hospital in Tirana, where he was expected to be fitted with a prosthesis, before being transferred to Durres. Two days ago, the Staff claims, he was taken by ambulance to the Port of Durres, where he was allegedly abandoned.
The journalist added that initially information had circulated that the citizen had lost his life, but witnesses present claimed that he was still alive. According to him, during today’s event, the patient had one of his legs amputated.
The hospital’s reaction
After the publication of the complaint, the Durrës Regional Hospital reacted by denying the news that the patient had died.
In their official response today, the coastal city hospital denies claims that the patient was not provided with the necessary medical assistance.
It is even highlighted that after an intervention performed at the QSUT, Durres Hospital treated its patient for several weeks.
The full response of the Durrës Regional Hospital:
Regarding the news published in the media, according to which a patient previously treated at the Durrës Regional Hospital has passed away, we clarify that this information is not true.
The patient presented again yesterday at the Emergency Department of the Durrës Regional Hospital, where he continues to remain under the care and assessment of medical personnel.
For the full information of the public, we would like to inform you that the patient had previously been treated at the University Hospital, where vascular surgeons performed an intervention on the blood vessels of his left leg. After communication between the doctors, he was admitted to the Durrës Regional Hospital, where he stayed and was treated for several weeks, receiving the necessary medical care in accordance with his health condition.
After the stabilization of clinical parameters and the completion of hospital treatment, the patient was prepared for the epicrisis and informed of his discharge from the hospital. Since he stated that he had no place to stay, the hospital structures notified the social service and the State Police bodies, with the aim of finding a safe social and family solution.
After communications were made by the relevant structures, a family member stated that he would pick him up near his apartment. The patient was transported by ambulance to his destination, accompanied by State Police officers, and handed over to the family member.
Therefore, we clarify that the patient was not removed or abandoned on the street from the Durrës Regional Hospital, as claimed in the publication. His discharge from the hospital was carried out after the completion of treatment, with the relevant medical documentation and after coordination with social, police and family structures.
Durrës Regional Hospital calls on the media, especially in such sensitive cases, to verify information with the relevant institutions before publication.
Our institution remains committed to providing healthcare and cooperating with any competent authority, while respecting the confidentiality of health data and the dignity of the patient.
Second scandal: Confidential patient data published
Precisely in an attempt to contradict media reports, the Durrës Regional Hospital made public highly sensitive information about the patient’s health condition.
The official statement revealed that the 52-year-old is a carrier of the HIV virus, a heroin user, part of the methadone program, and suspicions were raised that he had consumed narcotics before returning to the hospital.
This is data protected by legislation on medical confidentiality and the doctor-patient relationship, which was not necessary to clarify the sole fact that the patient was alive.
The doctor’s word:
The patient’s condition is very good, after the intervention he had today around 2 pm until 4 pm. Regardless of the type of surgery, there was a good post-operative course. The patient’s condition, not only is he alive but he is in good parameters. He is currently awake. He is staying in the intensive care unit, where all patients undergoing surgery stay.
He was operated on for a left-sided dephasing. The indications for the intervention are determined by the QSUT because it is their duty. He was operated on for the first time at the QSUT. We sent him for a check-up to show the operating tactics because it is their duty. and their right. According to their advice, he was operated on here.
The operation was not easy. I think the operation was performed very well because it was performed by a staff with more than 30 years of experience. The patient will remain under observation for a longer period of time, due to the disease that has affected him.
Questions about ethics and the law
The publication of a patient’s diagnoses and health history has raised serious concerns about respect for professional ethics and the right to privacy.
Even if media reports prove to be inaccurate or incomplete, this does not exclude the obligation of healthcare institutions to maintain patient confidentiality.
A patient, regardless of their health condition, addictions, or social status, has the right not to have their medical data publicly exposed to respond to criticism or media debates.
The incident now raises serious questions about the professional and legal responsibility of the persons who authorized the publication of this information, while it is awaited whether the competent bodies and responsible authorities will examine not only the patient’s treatment, but also the possible violation of medical confidentiality.