Patient Disappears in Rivne
A 53-year-old patient, Iryna Fedotova, has gone missing during a transfer between medical facilities in the city of Rivne. The incident occurred on March 5th when Fedotova, who was being treated at the Rivne Regional Center for Mental Health, was being transported to a medical institution in Klevan. She suffers from schizophrenia and was undergoing treatment for a seasonal exacerbation of her condition. Patient transfers require careful protocols, especially for individuals with serious mental health conditions.
Fedotova's relative, Yana Turkevych, had visited her on March 4th. Turkevych reported noticing a visible swelling on Iryna's cheek and emphasized that patients in psychiatric facilities have a right to comprehensive medical care.
“A person in a psychiatric institution has the right to full treatment. That means if she has a toothache during her treatment, the hospital must provide help, take the patient to a dentist, and so on. They did not want to deal with this,” she stated.
During the transfer on March 5th, Iryna Fedotova escaped from the ambulance vehicle. Yana Turkevych filed a missing person report with the police and also contacted the Department of Civil Protection and Health. The police have opened proceedings to search for the missing woman and to investigate potential professional negligence.
Incident Under Investigation
The Rivne Regional Center for Mental Health has also initiated an internal investigation into the incident. A representative of the institution noted:
“We will conduct an internal investigation… the driver who was transporting the patient did everything possible to try and get the patient back. Following the investigation, we will then be able to make a decision.”
Iryna Fedotova is described as a woman of average height (170 cm) and average build. It is known she may have been wearing a black karakul hat. The situation remains tense, as her relative conveyed:
- “I only know that she had a black karakul hat on her head...”
- “A person is missing, a person who is ill, she is frightened in the city, she is not dressed for the weather, it's below zero outside, it's winter.”
Law enforcement and the medical institution are now actively working on the investigation to clarify all the circumstances of Iryna Fedotova's disappearance.
This incident underscores the critical importance of proper protocols for transporting patients with mental disorders and ensuring their rights to medical care are upheld. A lack of adequate response from medical staff can lead to serious consequences, including patient disappearances. The internal investigation initiated by the medical facility may help identify potential shortcomings in the healthcare system and prevent similar situations in the future.