August 21, 2024, 12:26 PM
August 21, 2024, 12:26 PM
The Attorney General of the State, Juan Lanchipa, reported this Wednesday that, so far, the Public Ministry has not received any formal request from the defense of the Former Minister of Health, Maria Eidy Roca Justinianoto suspend the criminal proceedings he faces for the case called Chinese respiratorsLanchipa assured, however, that They are willing to analyze any request to be presented with relevant medical reports.
“We are prepared to evaluate any application that is submitted. If we receive the appropriate medical certificates, The Public Prosecutor’s Office will analyze the situation immediately“, Lanchipa commented.
Lanchipa’s statement comes in response to multiple requests to suspend the criminal proceedings against the former minister, due to her serious health condition. However, Lanchipa clarified that an order has not been placed through the appropriate legal channels.
Calls to remove Roca
On Tuesday, the Minister of Justice, Ivan Limarequested that it be remove former minister Roca of the Chinese respirator case, after it became known that she is in the terminal stage of an incurable disease.
Lima said: “It is painful to see the deterioration of the health of former Minister Eidy Roca. We urge the administrators of justice to act with humanity and consider their critical condition when making decisions.”
In his post on the social network X (formerly Twitter), Lima stressed that Justice must consider the human factor in cases like Roca’s.
The Medical Association of Santa Cruz also joined this call. In a statement, the union expressed its concern about the continuation of the criminal proceedings, stating that it not only violates Roca’s right to health, but also threatens his physical and moral integrity. They recalled that the Bolivian Constitution guarantees access to decent health services and that the criminal process in its current state violates these principles.
The Medical College demanded the immediate suspension of the process and that Roca’s right to receive adequate medical treatment be given priority. They also called on the international community and human rights organizations to support this demand and protect the former minister’s fundamental rights.
His health condition is delicate
Roca suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest on Sunday and was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit of the Foianini clinic in Santa Cruz. Her relatives confirmed that his condition is very delicate.
Eidy Roca faces charges for contracts harmful to the State, uneconomic conduct and breach of duties, related to the purchase of 324 Chinese respirators during her tenure as Minister of Health in the government of Jeanine Áñez.