TIRANA, May 17- The death of a teenager during a routine surgery at a private hospital due to an anesthesia-related issue has sparked debate in Albania over the quality of healthcare and the way the media reports stories of this nature.
Police said 16-year old Blerta Pepa was admitted to Continental Hospital on May 15 to undergo a surgery to repair a knee ligament torn during a school exercise.
The discharge summary from the hospital stated that the girl suffered from a rare complication called Hyperthermia Maligna after she was administered anesthesia before the surgery.
The media had over reported unverified claims that the anesthesiologist, one of Albania’s most experienced doctors in this area, had made a mistake.
Police have launched penal proceedings against the three doctors over death due, suspecting negligence.
The anesthetist who administered the anesthesia on the patient tried to commit suicide after the patient’s death. He is still at the hospital in serious but stable condition.
Continental Hospital issued a press release on the case which sparked outrage in the public opinion, saying that the 16 year old died to a rare and often fatal complication, not due to medical malpractice.
Several doctors in Albania have pledged their support for their colleague who tried to kill himself, saying they would do the same in despair for the loss of a young patient.
The death of the young singer sparked concern over the high death rates in Albania’s private and public hospitals, despite claims of improved healthcare by by the Socialist-led government.
At the beginning of his mandate, Prime Minister Edi Rama pledged free universal care for all, but instead the public health sector has seen many controversies, including massive public funding going to private companies in concessions that have not improved healthcare, opposition critics say.
