A video of a midwife and a health assistant from the municipal hospital in Sliven has caused angry comments in society and a reaction from the health authorities, NOVA recalled.
In the video, filmed in the Neonatology Department of the "Dr. Ivan Seliminski - Sliven" Hospital, the two women dance to the sounds of pop folk rhythms with newborn babies while on duty. The video was published on social networks on January 3.
The NOVA team managed to talk to the midwife Yana, who has been practicing this profession for 3 years. She said that the video was published on social networks by her colleague without permission. According to her, she loves her job more than anything and treats the children she cares for with great love. Yana shared in a conversation with our team that she takes the public's comments extremely seriously and apologized.
People who recognized their child in the clip commented that this was unacceptable behavior. “This is a living being. A 3-kilogram child. Instead of taking care of them - they are playing. I have nothing against other doctors, obstetricians and nurses. I even thank them for the treatment I received. But I am shocked. This is a living mockery of children. If they want a clip - they could have made it and not uploaded it. I am outraged by the attitude of this nurse and midwife”, said Katya, who is the grandmother of one of the children filmed in the clip.
She emphasized that the family will seek their rights through legal means. Because no one consulted them about the making of this clip and its distribution. She described the shock she felt when she logged into social media and saw her own grandchild.
The head of the Neonatology Department, Dr. Tanya Pramatarova, described the incident as "a breach of hospital standards." "I deeply condemn this video. This is extremely unprofessional and unacceptable for our work. This kind of behavior and attitude towards our work has no place in the department under any circumstances and with no excuses," she said.
Health authorities have ordered an immediate investigation into the case.
Parents have the right to be protected in this situation. This video can be considered a mockery and disrespect for the dignity of newborns and their parents. They can be compensated for the non-pecuniary damage they suffered as a result of this attitude”, medical law lawyer Maria Sharkova told NOVA.
“In my practice, I have not had such cases, which is good. However, in my practice, I have had cases in which information about the health status of patients is disseminated without their consent. Medical specialists are deeply unfamiliar with the legal framework regarding patients' personal data”, she emphasized.
“There are many striking things in this video. First of all, unfortunately, in some maternity hospitals it is still practiced to take babies from their mothers immediately after birth, even when medical intervention is not necessary. The video makes it clear that the children are not constantly with their mothers and apparently the staff thinks they can dispose of them as they see fit”, Sharkova pointed out.
“The other striking thing is the use of these children without the parents' knowledge and the absolutely uncritical uploading of it on social networks. Medical specialists do not receive education in the field of health legislation. That is why such situations arise”, she was categorical.