Health Inspectorate to Investigate Complaint of Child Receiving Medication via Dirty Syringe at Jēkabpils Hospital

The Health Inspectorate (VI) has launched an investigation into a complaint concerning the administration of medication to a child with a dirty syringe at Jēkabpils Regional Hospital. The patient, a relative of the child, informed several hospital staff members, including a pediatrician and a doctor in the admissions department. The pediatrician declined to comment, citing patient data protection requirements. Meanwhile, the involved doctor told a TV program that he does not recall the details of the specific case.

VI confirmed that it will evaluate the incident. During the investigation, the inspectorate may analyze medical records and conduct unannounced visits to the medical facility. VI will not provide further comments until the investigation is concluded.

Ervīns Keišs, chairman of the board of Jēkabpils Regional Hospital, stated that the hospital has not received an official submission from the patient, and therefore no internal investigation has been conducted. The hospital will await an information request from VI and then assess the situation.

Certified attorney and patient rights expert Solvita Olsena expressed the opinion that patient safety incidents in Latvia are often not investigated actively enough, and patients face difficulties in getting their complaints fully evaluated. According to her, the photograph taken by the patient could be of significant importance in this case.