The Guardia Civil is investigating an alleged homicide by professional negligence by the suspended doctor Ángel Ruiz-Valdepeñas for attending a birth in a private home in Santa Eulària, Ibiza after which the baby went into cardiorespiratory arrest and died four days later, on February 4, in the Mallorcan hospital of Son Espases, the only one on the islands that has a pediatric ICU. This physician is suspended from membership for his public and active opposition to the measures approved by the health authorities to try to control the coronavirus pandemic.
The investigation report into the actions of this doctor was transferred yesterday by the Guardia Civil to the Court of Ibiza, as reported from the Peripheral Communication Office (OPC).
In it, the investigators conclude that the doctor “did not carry with him the basic instruments for the resuscitation of the infant”, who according to him explained to Diario de Ibiza, went into cardiorespiratory arrest without knowing the reasons: “After a few minutes, I do not know exactly how many, but after breastfeeding, suddenly [the baby] went into cardiorespiratory arrest. This is very rare and it is the first time I have seen it in a newborn without any problem”, he said at the time.
The Guardia Civil investigators add that the doctor, without the instruments they consider adequate, carried out “the cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuver unsuccessfully, so it was necessary to notify the 061 emergency personnel, who in a few minutes managed to resuscitate and stabilize the newborn”.
On this point, Ruiz-Valdepeñas recalled after the birth to Diario de Ibiza that the ambulance took about half an hour to arrive at the house. “If nothing is done in that half hour, the baby will surely die, without any doubt”, he defended then.
“Although resuscitation by health workers was effective, the baby had to be transferred to the pediatric ICU of Son Espases, where she died on February 7,” details the Guardia Civil in its report on its assistance in the birth.
In the brief press release, the Guardia Civil recalls that “the events occurred on January 31, when through a verbal contract and a cash payment, the man under investigation attended a birth at a home in Santa Eulària”.
“[The man under investigation] was hired for his knowledge and qualifications as a doctor although at the time of delivery he was disqualified to practice this profession “. According to Diario de Ibiza, he apparently charged 1,900 euros for this service.
For the full article, please visit Diario de Ibiza website here.