An unspeakable tragedy unfolded at a beach bar in Halkidiki, when a 15-month-old baby boy from Serbia lost his life from choking, while having dinner with his family.
The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon (15/7), at Ormos Panagias, where the family was spending their summer vacation.
According to initial reports, the infant choked during mealtime after swallowing peanuts, which caused airway obstruction. Despite desperate attempts by the parents, beach bar staff, and EKAB paramedics who arrived immediately at the scene, it was not possible to save the child’s life.
Giannakos on infant choking in Halkidiki: The beach bar should have had more attention and first aid
The president of POEDIN, Michalis Giannakos, confirmed the tragic event and mentioned that the Agios Nikolaos Health Center is adequately staffed, having two pediatricians, a number considered exceptional for a primary healthcare unit in the area.
“To restore the facts: The Agios Nikolaos Health Center in Halkidiki has two pediatricians. Two pediatricians are considered very good staffing for a health center and you don’t find this in many health centers, nor in many small regional hospitals. At the Agios Nikolaos Health Center, a General Practitioner was on duty on Tuesday afternoon as regulations require.”
He continued: “The child was transported and the general practitioner made tremendous resuscitation efforts. He didn’t succeed. It was immediately decided to transfer the child to Halkidiki Hospital, and he was transported by ambulance accompanied by the General Practitioner. There, doctors immediately intubated the child and made titanic efforts to revive him, but he eventually lost his life after suffering airway obstruction from peanuts.”
“The colleagues at the health center and hospital did everything they could. There at the beach bar, there should have been more attention and first aid,” he added.
