Croatian dialysis deaths spark inquiry

The Croatian health service is chronically underfunded

The Croatian Government is meeting in emergency session to discuss the deaths of 23 kidney patients during dialysis.

An investigation into the cases has been opened, and the Prime Minister, Ivica Racan, said the initial findings seemed to indicate that filters made by the American company, Baxter, were linked to the deaths.

Ten kidney patients also died in one week in Spain last August, while undergoing dialysis using the same equipment.

The first deaths in Croatia occurred on Monday, but the authorities only alerted all of the country's hospitals to the dangers on Friday, and there have been calls for ministerial resignations.

Croatian Health Minister Ana Stavljenic Rukavina has offered to resign over the deaths, most of which happened on Friday and Saturday.

But Mr Racan rejected her offer, calling instead for an investigation into the "great tragedy".

Baxter has categorically denied any responsibility for the deaths, pointing out that dialysers are only one part of the treatment process.

Investigation

Mr Racan called for an inquiry

Spokeswoman Patty O'Hayer told AP news agency that company representatives were working alongside Croatian authorities in the investigation.

Mr Racan said earlier that the inquiry "led to the suspicion that the filters made by Baxter could have caused these tragic events".

Ms Rukavina said no new deaths had been reported after the dialysers had been replaced and that clinics using other dialysers had not reported any problems.

But Ms O'Hayer said that an "artificial connection" had been made between the deaths and Baxter.

Last week Baxter produced a product report clearing the company of any blame.

Of the 23 victims, some died during dialysis treatment, while others died from choking or heart problems shortly afterwards, Croatian media reported.

In an average week in Croatian hospitals, between three and six kidney patients die.

Spanish inquiry

An independent investigation in Spain has not established any link between Baxter's equipment and its own deaths.

The Spanish Health Minister, Celia Villalobos, said she is still waiting for a report from her own ministry.

The chief executive officer of Croatia's leading drugs company, Pliva, said Baxter had given their assurance that the filters delivered to Croatia were from different batches from those used in Spain.

Ivo Covic said his company has now suspended the delivery of the Baxter-made dialysers to Croatian hospitals.