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Pärnu Deemed Unprepared for Another Methanol Tragedy
The head of intensive care at Pärnu general hospital warned that technology gives many a false sense of assurance. Ten years after the methanol tragedy that claimed 68 lives, he doubts the hospital would be ready for another mass poisoning.
Dr. Raido Paasma gave an interview to ETV on September 9, exactly ten years after the so-called methanol tragedy in Pärnu.
It was a decade ago that stolen methanol was mixed and sold as brand-name vodka, resulting in the deaths of 68 people over ensuing days.
Paasma said that despite access to state-of-the-art technology, many of those who were admitted on September 9, 2001 with typical methanol-poisoning symptoms - such as headaches and blurred vision - were subsequently discharged, only to die later.
Paasma described current diagnosis and treatment procedures as too specialized.
Paasma said that despite access to state-of-the-art technology, many of those who were admitted on September 9, 2001 with typical methanol-poisoning symptoms - such as headaches and blurred vision - were subsequently discharged, only to die later.
Paasma described current diagnosis and treatment procedures as too specialized.
Instead, he added, doctors' exposure to the symptoms and effects of "normal" alcohol intoxication is of more value than dialysis machines.
Andres Kahar
