LODE doctor who tried helping deceased girl owns a shop

Euroradio has found the gynaecologist connected with the tragedy in the Brest affiliate of LODE. Iryna Tromza, 21, died after a medical procedure conducted in the medical centre. The suspected reason for her death is anaphylaxis – an allergic reaction to some medicine.

“We rendered medical assistance immediately together with the doctor,” the medic told Euroradio. “I am not going to comment on it now, ask the administration of LODE about it,” the gynaecologist replied. She also added that she could not talk much because she was driving.

The doctor also ignored our question about the medicine used on the girl. She did not say whether Iryna Tromza had been asked about possible allergic reactions before the procedure.

The doctor started working in 2006, right after graduation from Homel University of Medicine. The woman improved her qualification at master classes and courses in Moscow and Belarus. She received positive comments on her work on forums.

However, the doctor does not dedicate all her work time to medicine, Euroradio found out. She owns… an Internet shop specializing in Belarusian knitted wear. The company has affiliates in Brest and Moscow.

The doctor really owns the shop, the employees told Euroradio.

Euroradio: Is she a nominal director or does she combine her work with business?

Internet shop: “It does not matter. We cannot comment on it. You are interested in her medical career, so you should better ask LODE.”

We asked the press service of the Ministry of Health whether it was normal for Belarusian doctors to do business. Doesn’t it hinder medics’ professional development?

“It is difficult to comment on it. These are legal issues”, press sectary of the Ministry of Health Volha Bartman said. “But I think that it is difficult to do something else as a doctor.”

An internal investigation will be conducted by Brest Province Executive Committee Department of Health. The professional skills of LODE doctors and the connection of the death with the quality of the rendered medical assistance will be checked.

“An investigation will be conducted. The issues of qualification and education will also be studied. It may affect our check-up of the girl’s death,” official representative of Brest Province Investigation Committee Ruslan Mararchuk explained. “We will assess the situation basing on the law and try to find out the reason for the girl’s death. All the circumstances will be studied.”