2024-09-10 06:34:27
A new suicide of a medical student has once again brought to light the work environment faced by students in their 80-hour-a-week internships.
While the University of Valparaíso instructed an internal investigation for “establish any administrative responsibilities“The family and partner of the medical student, Pablo Leiva Inzunza, do not hesitate to point to the university and the San Camilo Hospital, in San Felipe, as those responsible for the suicide of 27-year-old.
On August 30, Pablo spoke for the last time with his partner, who noticed him stressed, although “He said goodbye affectionately as always. And I never saw him again.“, she posted on social media.
A day later, her lifeless body was found and her worst nightmare came true. “We were happy, she laughed every day, she played with our dog, we had plans for many more weekends. That university took it away from me (…), that boarding school and its 80-hour workweek“.
“They treated him like a fool”
For her part, Pablo’s mother, Marta Inzunza, said that “his self-esteem was undermined. What bothered him most about practicing in medical centers was being treated like a fool, an imbecile, or stupid. They made him feel like that: that he was not capable, that the knowledge he had was not enough to pass.”
In conversation with BBC Mundo, the woman stated that “My son was broken, his soul and self-esteem were broken. What happened? The only explanation I have is stress and fear of not being able to perform.”
“I saw my son very anxious. The only thing he had in mind was to finish his studies, because He wanted to work to buy his house, have children, help me and his brother.“, he added.
Marta remembered that Pablo was a student “respectful, kind, affable, supportive and empathetic“and said that during one of her practices she was so stressed that she had seizures.
What the university said after the suicide of the medical student
After confirming the suicide of the medical student, the University of Valparaíso told BBC Mundo that “in the face of this tragedy, the rector of the university has arranged the instruction of a summary investigation with the purpose of establishing possible administrative responsibilities in dealing with any situation related to what happened to Pablo Leiva.
“The Faculty of Medicine decreed two days of mourning and this week all academic activities were suspendedreflection sessions have been held to address the mental health of students and the situation in clinical fields,” they added.
If you or anyone you know needs psychological help related to a mental health emergency or crisis, you can call 600 360 7777 or the Ministry of Health’s line *4141. This service is free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also search for the nearest care center or connect with specialists via video call at THIS LINK.