Doctors fear prosecution in Mexico over COVID-19 patient's death

A group of doctors from the ISSSTE in Baja California Sur protested outside the Attorney General's office in La Paz, expressing concern over a criminal investigation into the 2021 death of a COVID-19 patient.

The demonstration, held Thursday, saw medical professionals holding signs that read "We are doctors, not murderers" and "No to the criminalization of health personnel." They are worried about the potential for 10 of their colleagues to be formally charged and face legal proceedings.

Dr. Jorge Rodolfo Ramos stated that the involved doctors have a court hearing scheduled for Saturday, and they fear the penal process will advance against them. Dr. Edwin Osuna Beltrán explained that the patient's death occurred during the early stages of the pandemic in 2021, a time marked by significant knowledge gaps and deficiencies in treating the disease.

The medical staff claim the investigation is flawed and that they have encountered obstacles in accessing relevant case information. They reported a six-month delay in obtaining the investigation file, which they argue infringes upon their right to a defense. The doctors also suspect a conflict of interest, noting that the individual leading the investigation previously headed the local Attorney General's office until recently. They also questioned why the case file is being handled in San José del Cabo instead of La Paz, where the events took place.

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No a la criminalización de personal de salud