The Pontifical Javeriana University of Bogotá and the health sector in Colombia are in mourning after the tragic death of a young resident doctor from Caldas, who decided to take her own life. Her farewell letter has set off alarm bells in the medical community.
News Colombia.
Catalina Gutiérrez Zuluaga, a resident physician at the Universidad Javeriana, committed suicide, sparking outrage and allegations of alleged mistreatment of residents in the course of her duties. The medical community is calling for a formal investigation into the conditions at the institution.
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On Wednesday, July 17, Catalina Gutiérrez Zuluaga, a doctor in her first year of residency in surgery at the San Ignacio Hospital, linked to the Javeriana University, decided to end her life.
He left a brief note addressed to his colleagues, in which he said: “To all the residents, thank you. I have learned a lot from each one of you. I will always carry you in my heart. You can do it. Cheer up. CGZ.”
The university community and health professionals have expressed their dismay and pain at the loss.
Message of condolences and funeral ceremonies
In its message, the Javeriana Faculty of Medicine stated: “We honor Catalina’s memory with the best memories she left during her time at the University. We appreciate accompanying her parents, her sister and other family members with respect, empathy, solidarity and kindness.”
We honor Catalina’s memory with the best memories she left during her time at the University.
We appreciate that you have accompanied his parents, sister and other family members with respect, empathy, solidarity and kindness. pic.twitter.com/oSgMpwcSJ1
— Javeriana Medicine (@MedicinaPUJ) July 20, 2024
Catalina’s wake was held last Saturday, July 20 in Bogotá, and her funeral was held on Sunday, July 21 in Manizales, where her family said their last goodbyes.
This case has sparked a wave of outrage on social media, where several Internet users have denounced that there are multiple cases of alleged mistreatment of medical residents at the Javeriana University.
These complaints have prompted many to demand a formal investigation to clarify the working and study conditions of the residents.
The National Association of Interns and Residents (ANIR) also spoke out on the matter, pointing out that they have received numerous complaints about violence and mistreatment in professional training environments.
This situation has highlighted the need to review and improve the conditions to which professionals in training are subject.
This Monday, July 22, the National Association of Interns and Residents will hold a day of solidarity with family, friends and colleagues of Dr. Gutiérrez, and of denunciation against the practices of abuse present in medical training
Did you know this?
Following the suicide of a general surgery resident at the Javeriana University, Dr. Diana Nossa makes this chilling account of the humiliations to which medical students are subjected
Shocking 👇🔁 pic.twitter.com/A4oAyUsMeZ
— Luis Anibal Rincon Arguello. ® 🇨🇴 (@Rincon001A) July 21, 2024
Young medical resident committed suicide in Bogotá: the doctor left a note thanking her colleagues. “The constant is humiliation,” say people who are doing residencies.
More in https://t.co/yqNEZK7ZOB pic.twitter.com/g8aLpwunYx
— Caracol News (@NoticiasCaracol) July 21, 2024
