The murder of Mariana Sánchez Dávalos, an intern at the Faculty of Medicine of the Autonomous University of Chiapas who was doing her social work in a rural clinic in Ocosingo, has caused outrage and anger in the country.
Mariana, 24, was apparently murdered by a doctor she reported for sexually harassing her.
His body was found hanging on January 28 in the small room where he lived.
His death became pertinent when it was learned that no one responded to his complaints and that the prosecutor ruled that he had committed suicide and ordered the cremation of his body without the consent of his relatives.
On the exploitation of GPs, and based on her own experience, my sister, Dr. Josephine Ruiz-Healy, in August 2016 on the site saludiario.com.
In his article, The Creepy Social Service: If You Survive, They Will Do You A Favor by You Are Degree, he warned of the dangers of medical interns performing their social services. For space reasons, I transcribe some of his text:
“A survey of interns conducted in 2015 (…) reported that ‘75% of doctors working in rural areas have experienced some form of physical violence, extortion, kidnapping, threats, armed robbery and in some cases resulted in murder. ‘
“How is it possible that thousands of young people risk their lives in the process and for a negligible reward without the educational institutions themselves or the state governments offering them the least guarantees, but at the same time demanding a lot from them?
“Is it really wise that about 75% of primary care centers are served by interns?
“Does social service improve the health of the population if there is no necessary equipment or supplies, neither the experience nor the necessary support?
“Is it about having an infinite source of work that provides poorly paid medical personnel to the most remote clinics that can barely attract a regular doctor?
“It is also not fair to the population (…) The intention is that the student who does not yet have a diploma, license or experience, should act as a general practitioner.
“… no one can force a trainee who performs his social services to stay in a dangerous place.
“Perhaps those who criticize parents for getting their children out of dangerous situations or interns for leaving a square should spend a week in these places. Or talk to the families of Norma Angélica Ávila, María Teresa Adona, Rocío Basoco, Gonzalo González, Edgar Rodríguez, Julio Arroyo, who were brutally murdered while performing their social services. And names are missing …
“The responsibility for the management of the facilities must lie with the universities that send their students there. Government agencies and the health sector must protect all personnel.
“Nothing justifies working in an environment where the physical integrity of the intern is not guaranteed, who by the nature of his work is a person with a great sense of social responsibility and a great desire to serve his community. Let those who send them to endanger themselves reciprocate ”.
The article is available at www.saludiario.com/el-espeluznante-servicio-social-si-sobrevives-te-haran-el-favor-de-darte-tu-titulo.
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