Minister of Health Calls for Resignations at UKC and Neurology Clinic

Extensive criminal investigation at Neurology Clinic

Minister of Health initiated a special control at the intensive care unit of the Neurology clinic, based on new facts. Foto: BoBo

Minister of health Milojka Kolar Celarc in reference to the Radan case requested irrevocable resignations of the top officials of the UKC Ljubljana hospital and the Neurologic Clinic. In the opposite case she intends to initiate a procedure for identification of responsibilities.

At the press conference following the government session she also said that a special control at the intensive care unit of the Neurology clinic had been set in motion. She has already invited the competent bodies to perform a special control at the Neurology clinic, based on which possible irregularities would be established, and measures taken to remedy the situation.
The Ministry regret what happened, and hope it was an individual occurrence. "We are convinced that doctors are doing their jobs in compliance with the Hippocrates oath. Such an event should not shake our trust in doctors' work."

Extensive criminal investigation
At the Neurology clinic where the physician Ivan Radan was employed an extensive criminal investigation is being performed.

Criminal investigators started their investigation at the Neurology Clinic of the University Medical Centre Ljubljana in December last year, when they received a report that neurologist Radan had supposedly shortened the life of a terminal patient. They will investigate all the cases of patients who died after being treated by Radan; i.e. approximately 40 patients.

On Monday Radan was arrested; he was charged with 24 criminal acts, including 7 murders. A 30-day detention order was issued.

Surprise at UKC that the suspect turned into a whistler
UKC Ljubljana has already responded to accusations regarding severe irregularities, and medical director Sergej Hojker expressed the surprise that the person suspected of a number of murders suddenly became an informer, or a whistler, and that his words suddenly turned into 'pure gold'. Hojker blames media of sensational reporting. He claims that the medical centre has in place an accurate system for dealing with any deviation.

The head nurse of the University Medical Centre Erna Kos Grabnar is not enthusiastic about media reports on great irregularities at the Neurology clinic. She stresses the fact that the UKC is not running away from their responsibility in this case, but still the truth remains that it was an act performed by an individual, and not the team as a whole. Doctors and nurses feel responsible for not recognizing that something like that might be possible.

B. V., L. L., translated by G. K.