The family of a politician who died after contracting COVID-19 in Chiapas put Dr. Gerardo Vicente Grajales Yuca in jail. The investigation indicates that the family took legal action after the doctor asked them to purchase medical equipment to treat the patient because of the health institute where he works lacks supplies.
Dr. Grajales Yuca is the head of the COIVD-19 area in a Chiapas hospital. Healthcare workers see him as someone who goes above and beyond for his patients. Moreover, the public health crisis forced him to put his family life aside to focus on treating his patients and to protect his family from the virus.
Miguel Arturo Ramírez López was a former municipal president, lawmaker, and local political party leader. His family pressed abuse of power and sexual harassment charges against the doctor because the doctor was aware of the shortages in the hospital and asked the family to purchase medical equipment to intubate and induce a coma.
Dr. Grajales Yuca was sent to jail without the option to present his defense. Furthermore, Chiapas state Attorney General’s Office turned the doctor into the subject of a dirt campaign by releasing his photograph and saying there would be “zero impunity” in his case. He was accused of corruption.
Recommended:
COVID-19 is an illness that has no cure, doctors can only use palliative care methods. Healthcare experts agree that comorbidities play a crucial role; therefore, the doctors treating the patients are not responsible for coronavirus-related deaths, especially if the patients are not in great health.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers have experienced discrimination, physical attacks, harassment, hate crimes, death threats, kidnapping, extortion but now they are facing legal action under false pretenses, only because they treated a COVID-19 patient who didn’t survive.
How many doctors would have to be in jail for round above and beyond for their patients? Now, it seems like society is turning against those who are fighting against COVID-19 on the frontlines. Mexico shouldn’t treat those who risk their lives for others this way. People must accept that medicine has its limits and it is not foolproof; however, people must recognize the heroic efforts carried out by healthcare workers.
gm