Osvaldo Cardoso was admitted to Amedrín Hospital in Fray Bentos on May 20, 2022, for gallbladder surgery that was expected to last about an hour.
Three hours later, his family was told there could be complications. In time, doctors diagnosed severe brain damage: he was left quadriplegic and blind, unable to swallow or control his bowel or bladder, and in a vegetative state.
In 2025, prosecutor Guillermina Chouhy secured charges against the doctor who acted as anesthesiologist for causing extremely serious injuries and unlawfully using a professional title. According to the investigation, she was not authorized to practice that specialty. The court imposed precautionary measures, including a ban on leaving the country.
The criminal trial has not yet begun because the accused cited psychiatric problems, and her presence is necessary to start the hearings. Meanwhile, the civil trial is scheduled to begin on November 5, 2026.
His wife, Ana, adapted their home to care for him: she built a bedroom and a bathroom and obtained an orthopedic bed, a feeding pump and a lift. Four years later, she is still seeking justice and asking that her husband’s story not be forgotten.