Maria Ruggia Dies After Eight Days on Stretcher at Palermo's Ingrassia Hospital, Daughter Romina Gelardi Files Complaint

Dec 22, 2024, 04:30 PM

Maria Ruggia, a 76-year-old woman, died on December 20 at Palermo's Ingrassia Hospital after spending eight days on a stretcher in the emergency room. Her daughter, Romina Gelardi, has filed a complaint with prosecutors, alleging that her mother was left untreated and in inadequate conditions from December 10 to December 18. Ruggia, who suffered from heart disease, breast cancer, and diabetes, was only transferred to the General Medicine ward on December 19, by which time her condition had deteriorated significantly, possibly due to a hospital-acquired infection. Gelardi claims that her mother's clinical conditions were not properly considered during her stay. The police have seized the medical records, and an autopsy has been ordered to investigate the circumstances of Ruggia's death.