The Panamanian health ministry’s special prosecutor, Cristóbal Arboleda, has ordered that any patients who die following radiation overdoses undergo an autopsy, Panamanian news agency La Prensa reported today.
Of nine patients reported dead so far following radiotherapy treatment for pelvic cancer, only two have been autopsied, La Prensa said. Arboleda is overseeing the Health Ministry’s ongoing criminal investigation of the overdoses, which occurred between August 2000 and February 2001 at Panama’s National Oncologic Institute. He has ordered that the bodies of any additional patients who succumb be delivered immediately to the ministry’s legal health institute for autopsy, the report said.
Arboleda said he had previously ordered Oncologic Institute director Juan Pablo Barés to perform autopsies on all further victims of the accident, which has stirred international concern about the apparent lack of safeguards at the institute. Autopsies were performed on two of the three most recent victims; however, no autopsy was performed on a patient who died as recently as June 16, according to La Prensa.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writers
July 5, 2001
Related Reading
Second stage of Panama investigation begins, June 7, 2001
Eight reported dead in Panama after radiation therapy, June 6, 2001
Investigation continues in fatal Panama radiation therapy accident, May 29, 2001
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