Two-year-old Ravi de Souza Figueiredo tragically passed away after undergoing a procedure at Goiatuba Municipal Hospital in Goias state, Brazil. The incident involved doctors attempting to dislodge a popcorn kernel from his nose by blowing compressed air, which led to the rupture of his stomach and lungs. Subsequently, two doctors have been indicted for manslaughter due to negligence following an investigation into the hospital’s actions.
Ravi’s parents sought medical help when they couldn’t remove the object themselves. Initially, hospital staff tried to extract it with tweezers, but when this failed, they proceeded to use a rubber cannula to blow compressed air into his nostril. Despite the unsuccessful attempt, Ravi was discharged after being given gas medication. However, his condition deteriorated, prompting a return to the hospital where further tests were conducted.
Shortly after being readmitted, Ravi’s health worsened, and he was transferred to a larger hospital where he tragically passed away due to acute respiratory failure. His parents expressed shock and grief over the sudden loss, with his father emphasizing the need for justice.
Authorities have highlighted that the procedure used on Ravi was not standard practice and could have been avoided with an immediate X-ray. Dr. Daniella Carvalho Ferreira and Dr. Isabella Helena Caixeta de Oliveira have been charged with negligence in connection to the boy’s death. The legal process is ongoing, with the family’s lawyer committed to pursuing accountability through civil action.