Tragedy! woman dies because of radiologist shortage in Hungary

Labour shortage, in general, has become a serious problem in Hungary in the past years. Lots of people move West in the hopes of better salaries and a better future. This is no different in the health sector, either – lots of nurses and doctors move abroad. Now, it seems like the lack of radiologists in a Budapest hospital has claimed its first victim.

A few weeks ago, it was revealed that Honvéd Hospital in Budapest has not had a radiologist since September, risking the safe treatment of patients. The fears turn out to have been valid, as a middle-aged woman lost her life because her illness was not diagnosed in time.

She was transported from one location to the other three times; however, by the time she was taken into surgery, it was too late.

Ever since the last radiologist decided to resign, the hospital has been unable to organise ultrasound examinations that require the assistance of a medical professional. This resulted in the terrible situation that, currently, patients have to be transported to a different hospital in Budapest to undergo this examination, they are then taken back to their original hospital where a doctor decides the next steps in light of the results from the other hospital.

The death of this woman came to light in a Facebook post by Zsombor Kunetz, a medical expert and oxyologist – reports NlCafé. His post reveals that the woman was taken to the emergency room of Honvédkorház with constant cramps, blood pressure of 200 and very close to fainting. She was then transported to the hospital in Podmaniczky Street, only to be transported back after waiting two hours in vain as there was no radiologist.