77-year-old woman on ventilator died during blackout
The Ministry of Health has announced that it has ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a 77-year-old woman who was on a ventilator and who allegedly died as a result of Monday’s nationwide power blackout.
The case was reported by RTP state broadcaster: the family told the station that their loved one died at home, precisely because of the lack of energy to power her ventilator.
In a short note sent out to newsrooms, the ministry said: “Having become aware of a possible victim caused by the power outage on April 28, the Minister of Health decided to request an audit by the General Inspectorate of Health Activities (IGAS) to fully clarify this case”.
In another note, the ministry added that according to information provided to the Health Minister’s office by INEM, the victim suffered “with several comorbidities”.
“The call for help to 112 was received at 15:52” and “the Medical Emergency Vehicle (VMER) was activated five minutes after a clinical triage was carried out”, said the note.
An ambulance was also sent, but death was declared at the scene (see update).
The roughly 12-hour power cut affected both this country and Spain, as well as parts of France and Morocco. At the weekend, during the political debate between the leaders of the two parties vying for power in upcoming elections, PSD leader Luís Montenegro made a point of countering his rival’s criticism over the coalition government’s management of the crisis with the fact that “no one died” – which was not the case in Spain where seven people reportedly lost their lives as a result of the mass blackout.
UPDATE: Tabloid Correio da Manhã has provided a few more details than the Ministry’s note. According to the paper, the woman’s ventilator switched to battery mode when the blackout began (at 11.33 on Monday). But shortly before 4pm, the woman’s daughter realised the battery was close to running out. It was then that the emergency call was made – but it took first responders over half an hour to arrive. During that time span, the battery ran out, and the elderly woman went into cardiorespiratory arrest, from which she could not be revived. ND
source material: LUSA
