In Arkalyk, an investigation is underway into the death of 61-year-old Tasbolat Sakupov, who died during an operation performed by the head of the neurosurgery department of the Kostanay Regional Hospital, Yevgeny Kovalev. According to relatives, the surgeon was under the influence of alcohol.
According to the publication «Kostanay News», the deceased's daughter Asel Ospanova said that after the operation, the doctor did not inform the family of the patient's death and attempted to leave the hospital. The family learned of the tragedy when Sakupov's son entered the operating theatre himself and saw his father's body covered with a sheet.
The relatives managed to stop Kovalev on the hospital grounds and called the police. According to Asel Ospanova, a medical examination showed that the surgeon was drunk.
Representatives of the regional ambulance service commented on the situation at a briefing. The acting chief physician of the station, Oleg Meleshenko, and the chairperson of the local branch of the medical workers' union, Tatiana Bulgatsevich, spoke to journalists. The heads of the health department and the regional hospital were not present at the meeting.
"The doctor was brought to Arkalyk Hospital in a resuscitation vehicle via medical aviation, where he performed the operation," Meleshenko reported.
The medics claim that transporting the patient to Kostanay was dangerous due to his state of health. Sakupov was diagnosed with an intracranial haematoma. According to Asel Ospanova, her father had complained of headaches several days before the operation and, after the diagnosis was made, was ready to travel to Kostanay for the surgery.
Meanwhile, the media, citing Minister of Health Akmaral Alnazarova, report that an investigation is being conducted into the patient's death.
"The Department of the Committee for Medical and Pharmaceutical Control is working on site. A corresponding case has been opened in the regional police department. We will provide a relevant comment following the results of the investigation. For our part, we have assigned specialists," said Alnazarova.