Jon Clarke (Publisher & Editor)THE family of a man who died after doctors repeatedly failed to diagnose his illness handed over a 16,000 petition to the Andalucian ombudsman.
The petition is demanding an investigation into the reasons behind Luis Alberto Ramirez’s death and for hygiene standards to improve.
Ramirez – known as Lucky to his friends – went to both the hospital and health centre on four separate occasions, but his peritonitis was not detected.
The family has now denounced five doctors, four from Ronda hospital and one from the Gaucin health centre, for medical negligence.
“The hospital has promised an internal investigation, but it has done nothing,” said Ramirez’s sister Maria.
Lucky died in April 2008 after first going to Algatocin’s health centre with a painful stomach ache, from where he was transferred to Ronda hospital for a series of tests.
As reported in the Olive Press, after a 24-hour wait, during which he was only given a seat, he was discharged to await the results.
But days later Lucky’s health worsened causing his mother to call the Gaucin medical centre.
“Lucky’s state continued to deteriorate so they took him to Ronda hospital where he was just given antibiotics and sent home once again”.
She asked the doctor if he could make a home visit but he never did.
The next day the family went to Gaucin health centre and asked to see the test results, but they were not available.
Lucky’s state continued to deteriorate so they took him to Ronda hospital where he was just given antibiotics and sent home once again.
His health deteriorated that night, forcing his family to call an ambulance – but they were all busy – so they were forced to take Lucky to Algatocín themselves.
However, on arriving at the accident and emergency centre, Lucky suffered a cardiac arrest.
The doctors managed to revive him and he was immediately transferred to Ronda hospital, but he passed away, aged 24.
