Minister of Health Assoc. Prof. Silvi Kirilov demanded an immediate report from the hospital director after an incident in which a mother and a five-month-old baby received eye burns from an ultraviolet lamp. The incident occurred on October 13, when the family was admitted to the hospital with COVID-19, the press service of the Ministry of Health reported.
Minister Kirilov ordered an urgent on-site inspection by the Executive Agency "Medical Supervision". The inspection must establish all the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident, including compliance with internal disinfection rules and control of access to UV devices, the actions of the staff on duty and subsequent communication with patients. Sanctions will be imposed if violations are found.
The victim Diana Ivanova said that her child was admitted to the hospital at around 3 am on October 13, after the family called an ambulance due to the five-month-old baby's high temperature. After a positive test for COVID-19, the mother and baby were placed in a room where an ultraviolet lamp turned out to be working.
"When I entered, I noticed that it was much brighter and the light was slightly bluish. There were three adults and three children in the room. I assume that due to the decrease in daylight, I started to notice the UV light more. My face swelled. I couldn't see well," Diana Ivanova told NOVA.
At around 7:30 pm in the evening, she began to feel severe discomfort. When the night doctor on duty came to visit, he noticed the lamp was on and turned it off. The staff explained to her that the device could cause conjunctivitis and eye irritation, adding that such cases happened frequently.
According to Diana Ivanova, the hospital refused her assistance for an additional examination, which is why she left the medical facility on her own initiative together with her child. She then sought help at the Alexandrovska Hospital, where ophthalmologists confirmed that the eye damage was caused by prolonged exposure to UV light.
"It wasn't because the lamp was on – we are all human and mistakes are made. But the worst thing was that when we were leaving, they told us: If you decide to sign a complaint, we won't accept you again. And a mother has to choose – to protect the health and eyesight of her child or to have access to hospital care if necessary", commented the mother.
Minister Kirilov instructed the medical facility to provide full assistance to the family, including follow-up examinations and the necessary medical documentation. He stressed that any attempts to prevent the filing of a complaint are unacceptable and assured that access to medical care for patients is guaranteed.
"Thank God, we are better. My child no longer cries and opens his eyes very slightly. I can also see now, because until the day before my vision was completely blurred - I could only see some spots", shared Diana Ivanova after the visit to Alexandrovska Hospital. Doctors do not expect permanent damage for now, but will monitor the condition of the mother and baby for possible late complications.