Doctor collapses during surgery in Zacatecas hospital; union blames poor conditions

A doctor reportedly fainted mid-surgery at the IMSS-Bienestar General Hospital in Fresnillo, Zacatecas, with medical personnel attributing the incident to severe heat stress. The alleged lack of proper ventilation and inadequate climate control in the operating rooms are cited as contributing factors by hospital staff who have voiced their concerns on social media.

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She started saying that she felt the room was very hot.

Reports indicate the incident occurred on Friday, with videos circulating on Saturday showing hospital workers raising alarms. The surgery was an emergency procedure on a pregnant patient with a liver injury. After a surgeon was called in to assist, the doctor who later collapsed entered the operating room. Although she managed to control the hemorrhage after an hour, staff claim she began feeling unwell beforehand.

Recordings capture staff complaining that the environmental conditions were insufficient for urgent surgeries. They described the operating room as extremely hot, intensifying with the presence of approximately ten people involved in the critical procedure. The heat was exacerbated by surgical attire, protective gear, operating room lighting, and the duration of the intervention.

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The climatic conditions were not sufficient to perform emergency surgeries.

Following the circulation of these accounts, the National Union of Health Sector Workers (SNTSS), led by Norma Castorena, issued statements. Castorena has previously highlighted numerous irregularities and deficiencies within IMSS Bienestar hospitals. This latest incident, she stated, serves as clear evidence of the consequences stemming from poor air conditioning and other systemic issues within the operating theaters.

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This fact only evidences that it was a consequence of the poor air conditioning and other deficiencies that exist in the operating rooms.