In Lithuania, a doctor refused to help a child – he spoke Russian 0 89

After child psychiatrist Linas Slushnis refused to speak Russian with a small child who was brought to the hospital in critical condition, Minister of Social Security and Labor Inga Ruiginene is turning to the Prosecutor General's Office of Lithuania.

"We are currently preparing documents. I will personally address the Attorney General and the prosecutor's office to let them clarify all the circumstances," Ruiginene said on Friday.

According to her, the child whom Slushnis refused to consult had sought help at three different medical institutions.

"It seems to me that we are wasting time discussing language, forgetting that behind this whole story is a child. A child who is on the brink of suicide. That day, he visited three medical institutions because he was redirected from one place to another. Is this normal?" the minister asked.

In her appeal, Ruiginene asks to assess whether the actions of the psychiatrist from Vilnius Santara Clinic fall under the violation of Article 144 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania – leaving without assistance in a situation threatening life or health.

Additionally, the Prosecutor General's Office is asked to determine whether the doctor violated Article 169 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania (discrimination based on nationality, race, gender, religion, or other grounds).

The Lithuanian Child Rights Service reported that the child was brought to the hospital in a state of "deep crisis," with his life in danger. It was noted that the psychiatrist refused to provide the child with services in a language he understood and did not agree to the specialists' offer to act as interpreters.

According to the service, the necessary help was provided to the child in another medical institution where he was hospitalized.