After investigating maternal deaths and breaking a contract with a team of doctors, the Marieta Conder Bornhausen Hospital and Maternity Hospital in Itajai, north coast of Santa Catarina, is now out of equipment for operations. Patients have been waiting for the procedure for more than a month.

Marieta Conder Bornhausen Hospital in Itajai. – Photo: Archive/Bruno Golembievsky/ND

Joao Vitor de Lima has been in the hospital for a month now, awaiting orthopedic surgery. He broke his leg in an accident and claims that the materials needed for the operation are not available.

The accident happened in Peña and after being treated at the local emergency room, João was taken to Marieta Hospital. This happened on June 26, and to this day he has not had the necessary operation.

“No one came to talk to me to recommend that I go to another hospital,” he says. João still fears the consequences of delaying the operation. According to Joao, the last attempt at the operation was supposed to take place on the 7th, but it was canceled at the last moment. There is no new forecast.

The hospital said in a statement that it has all the materials needed for the procedure and that it has already instructed teams on how to use them.

Hospital without x-ray

Another complaint is that the hospital does not have x-ray and mammography equipment. Reception orientation for patients is that they go to the CIS (Integrated Health Center) for procedures.

The hospital said in a statement that the devices are undergoing maintenance. Exams are postponed, while urgent and urgent exams are sent to the CIS.

The investigation determined the death of the mother in the hospital

The MPSC (Ministry of State of Santa Catarina) is also investigating seven maternal deaths at Marieta Hospital. The department’s obstetric services are outsourced, and the SMB Gestão em Saúde note states that five of the seven deaths “were not caused by sector services as a cause and [as mães] died, however, from other illnesses unrelated to pregnancy.” It also states that there were no deaths on the premises of the obstetric center.

The company also claims that “there is no evidence of a correlation with the services provided. This is a reckless statement that does not correspond to reality and is clearly dependent on a minimal investigation carried out impartially by law enforcement agencies, which, in fact, are already activated by the company and are monitoring the cases.