The Public Ministry of the State of Rio de Janeiro (MPRJ) announced, this Tuesday (15), that it is investigating possible irregularities in contracts between the state’s Health Foundation and the company responsible for signing the wrong HIV tests that culminated in infection with the virus. to transplant patients.
The MPRJ identified that one of the partners of the company Patologia Clínica Dr. Saleme LTDA, Matheus Sales Teixeira Vieira, is related to the former state secretary of health, Luiz Antonio Teixeira Júnior, Dr. Luizinho.
According to the ordinance, Walter Vieira, one of the laboratory’s managing partners and arrested last Monday (14), is married to Ana Paula Vieira, Dr. Luizinho’s maternal aunt. Therefore, the partner’s son, Matheus Sales, is the former state secretary’s cousin.
The prosecution emphasizes that the investigation aims to verify signs of irregularities in the contracts and terms of settlement of accounts between Fundação Saúde do Rio and the company PCS Saleme. This Tuesday (15), the MP announced that it is also investigating the sanitary and operational conditions of the laboratory.
THE CNN contacted PCS Saleme, Fundação Saúdeo do Rio and the former state secretary of health, but did not receive a response at the time of publishing this article.
On Friday (11), when the case became public, Dr. Luizinho spoke out in a note, confirming his relationship with the laboratory partner’s wife.
“As Secretary of State for Health, I maintained the same team from the State Transplant Program as the previous administration and I never participated in the hiring of this or any other Laboratory”, said the deputy.
“I expect punishment for those responsible, regardless of who it is,” concluded the politician in a statement.
Investigation
Six people were infected with the HIV virus after receiving transplanted organs, due to tests with false-negative results for HIV issued by the PCS Lab Saleme laboratory.
The Ministry of Health has been aware of cases of infections since September. However, the case only came to light at the beginning of this month, after the State Department of Health of Rio de Janeiro (SES-RJ) confirmed that it was investigating the infections.
Last Sunday (13), the Rio Court authorized the breach of confidentiality of data from those involved in cases of HIV infection in transplant patients.
Also on Sunday (13), the Regional Pharmacy Council of Rio de Janeiro (CRF/RJ) stated that the laboratory, responsible for HIV tests, is not registered as an establishment with the agency.
In the document, judge Flavia Fernandes de Melo determined access to cell phones, computers and other electronic devices of those accused in the investigation.
In addition to breaking telematic secrecy, the judge also ordered a search and seizure warrant at the addresses of those being investigated.
PCS Lab Saleme informed the CNN in a note, which repudiates the alleged existence of a criminal scheme to forge reports within the laboratory. Read below:
In a statement to the police today, Walter Viera, one of the partners at PCS Lab Saleme, stated that the preliminary result made by the laboratory’s internal investigation points to evidence of human error in the transcription of the results of two HIV tests.
His and Mateus Vieira’s defense vehemently repudiates the insinuation that there was a criminal scheme to forge reports in the laboratory, which has been operating in the market since 1969. The defense is confident that, after the clarifications provided by Walter, the Court will find it unnecessary to keep him arrested.
Matheus voluntarily presented himself and was released. He assured the authorities that he will testify when his defense has full access to the investigation files.
In a press conference, this Monday morning (14), the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro stated that the cases of infection of patients with HIV were caused by operational failure, with the aim of making a profit.
According to the police, there was an operational decision in the company contracted to carry out the tests, so that the checks on the reagents were changed, aiming to increase profit, to the detriment of the safety of the process.
Arrests and seizures
The Consumer Police launched an operation this Monday morning (14) with 11 arrest warrants and four arrest warrants.
The main partner of PCS Lab Saleme, Walter Vieira, and Ivanilson Fernandes, a laboratory technician hired to analyze the material, are in prison. On the afternoon of this Tuesday (16), another employee of the PCS Lab Saleme laboratory, Jacqueline Iris Bacellar de Assis, responsible for signing the wrong HIV tests, handed herself in to the Rio Civil Police.
In the reports, Jacqueline is listed as a biomedical doctor, but the registration number used belongs to someone else.
*Under the supervision of Bruno Laforé
This content was originally published in MP investigates irregularities in laboratory contracts that failed HIV tests on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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