Querétaro, Mexico — The National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) of Mexico has asked the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) for “comprehensive repair of the damage” for a 2018 case of medical negligence.
The unnamed woman, who was 27 at the time, was the victim of “erroneous diagnosis” that resulted in the amputation of both legs.
“They violated the rights to health protection, personal integrity, sexual and reproductive health, and damaged the life of a 27-year-old woman due to inadequate diagnosis, treatment and medical follow-up,” the Commission detailed in a statement.
According to the agency, the 27-year-old victim required the removal of an intrauterine device (IUD) that was translocated (in the wrong position) and which was also removed with an erroneous procedure.
In the complaint filed by the young woman, in September of 2018, she went to an IMSS unit in Querétaro on at least three occasions for abdominal pain. She was diagnosed with an urinary tract infection and colitis and was administered treatment.
The woman later went to the obstetrics-gynecology area of the regional hospital to remove an IUD that was translocated, which “was removed with tweezers without previously performing an ultrasound or X-ray studies,” the CNDH reported.
Three days later, she returned to the hospital with lower back pain where she was diagnosed with acute low back pain.
“The victim’s situation evolved unfavorably, so she went to the emergency room of the family unit and from there she was transferred to the regional hospital where she was admitted due to severe blood loss, infectious gastroenteritis and severe dehydration,” detailed the statement.
While hospitalized, the young woman lost her uterus, an ovary and both legs. This “could have triggered a generalized infection and, consequently, the amputation of both legs, the removal of the uterus and an ovary,” the CNDH said in their recommendation.
The National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) of Mexico has requested the general director of the IMSS, Zoé Robledo, to proceed with the “immediate” repair of the damage “including the payment of sufficient financial compensation and ensure that the victim is provided with access to social programs that provide development opportunities, and scholarships are granted in favor of her two directly affected family members,” the CNDH said.
