Buenos Aires protests death of Argentine citizen after alleged lack of medical care

Government of Luis Arce On Tuesday, he assured that assistance was provided in a timely manner and without prepayment to an Argentine citizen who died in a recent traffic accident in central Bolivia after he heard complaints from Argentina that the man was not provided with medical assistance.

Deputy Foreign Minister of Bolivia, Freddie Mamani Machacaand Deputy Minister of Health Management, Alvaro Terrazasoffered a press conference in La Paz to respond to Argentina’s claim of alleged lack of timely attention and accusations they wanted to make against the injured party.

Mamani expressed the condolences of the Bolivian government to the family of the Argentinean Alexander Benitez”died in a serious traffic accident” that occurred last Sunday on the highway between the regions Cochabamba and Santa Cruzwhen the motorcycle he was riding collided head-on with a truck.

“From the government of Bolivia, we want to categorically confirm that the relevant medical care has been provided in accordance with the procedures and regulations established by the Bolivian state and directed by the Ministry of Health,” said the Deputy Foreign Minister of Bolivia.

Argentina: The Case of an Argentine Citizen

The Argentine was taken to a second-level hospital in the town of Ivirgarzama, in the central zone of the Tropic of Cochabamba, “to provide primary medical care and determine the severity of the accident,” and then transfer him to a specialized center. he explained. Mamani.

In its turn, terraces He claimed that “it was a very serious accident” which left Benítez with severe head injuries, “polytrauma, open fractures, hypovolemic shock with multiple organ failure, which had a poor prognosis.”

According to terracesthe first reports received indicate that the hospital staff had to “hemodynamically stabilize the patient” in order to refer him to another medical center.

The deputy minister assured that the attention “was prompt, immediate”, and indicated that the nearest specialized hospitals are 3 and 4 hours away from Ivirgarzam.

“During the hour and 20 minutes that he was in the hospital, according to the medical report, everything possible was done to help him and stabilize him so that he could survive the transfer. Unfortunately, given the nature of the accident, he might not have survived,” he lamented.

Argentine protest

For this event was office Argentina filed a formal protest on Tuesday office Bolivia “demands an explanation and expresses deep concern” over Benitez’s lack of medical attention, Efe’s official sources confirmed in Buenos Aires.

According to these sources, Benitez He presented a “life-threatening situation and did not receive the necessary medical care in violation of the international treaty on medical assistance signed in 2019.”

Governor of Salta Gustavo Saenzalready filed a claim on Monday before office Argentina for violating this international treaty, lamenting the “lack of reciprocity with the Argentines” of the Bolivian authorities.

In addition, the family of the deceased stated that members of the security forces and the medical center demanded payment from Benítez in Bolivian currency for his transfer to the hospital, rejecting any payments in Argentine pesos.

More about medical care

Terrazas assured that “no preliminary charges have been filed” and also announced that the Ministry of Health has sent a commission to Ivirgarzama to investigate the case.

“We are waiting for the results, and if they violate the rules that we mentioned, they will receive appropriate sanctions,” Terrazas said.

Mamani indicated that he was in contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Argentine embassy that day to “work through the technical aspects” related to the 2019 health cooperation agreement.

The deputy foreign minister assured that “the issue is being worked out and the details of the agreement will be finalized jointly with the government of Argentina.”

(EFE)