Health experts and scientific community on the case of Kevin Acosta: 'Prevention is the medicine'
Wake for Kevin Acosta, a boy with hemophilia who died waiting for medication. Photo: Private archive
TL;DR
- Kevin Acosta, a 7-year-old boy with hemophilia, has died, leading to controversy over the cause of death.
- President Gustavo Petro and Minister of Health Guillermo Alfonso Jaramillo suggested the death was due to a head injury from a fall, with the mother allegedly refusing surgery.
- The boy's mother, Yudy Katherine Pico, disputes these claims, stating his death was caused by a lack of medication for hemophilia and that she was blamed to 'wash their hands'.
- She claims she did not receive the necessary monthly medication for two months.
- Experts from Fecoer and the Colombian League of Hemophiliacs argue that the focus should be on the state's failure to provide timely and comprehensive care, including medication.
- They stress that prophylactic medication is essential for individuals with hemophilia to lead normal lives and prevent severe bleeding.
- The Colombian Association of Scientific Societies highlighted that over 6,000 people in Colombia have coagulopathies, including over 3,200 with hemophilia.
- They stated that inadequate and untimely treatment can lead to severe hemorrhages, permanent disability, and death.
- The association also noted that interruptions in medication supply for patients with inhibitors, particularly those with Nueva EPS, have been occurring since December.