Health Ministry Investigates Death of Pregnant Woman and Twins
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Six months after the death of Reut Cohen, 35, and her unborn twins, the Israeli Ministry of Health's investigation committee convened its first meeting. The family believes Cohen died from pre-eclampsia after being discharged from hospitals despite severe pain. Her brother criticized the lengthy investigation process and expressed doubt about the committee's ability to determine the cause of death. Hospitals involved stated they provided standard care, and the family's decision against an autopsy complicates the investigation.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Reut Cohen, 35, died in April after collapsing at home during her 30th week of pregnancy with twins.
- The family believes Cohen died from pre-eclampsia, but the cause of death remains undetermined.
- Cohen was discharged from two hospitals despite reporting severe pain in the week before her death.
- The Ministry of Health's investigation committee held its first discussion six months after Cohen's death.
- Cohen's brother expressed concern the investigation would not lead to changes in hospital practices.
- The family's decision against an autopsy complicates the determination of the cause of death.
Six months after the death of 35-year-old Reut Cohen of Ra'anana, who collapsed at home in her 30th week of pregnancy with twins, the Ministry of Health's investigation committee held its first discussion this week. The family provided testimony, with her brother, Itay Cohen, expressing concern that the inquiry would not lead to changes in hospital practices. Reut, a lawyer, died in April at Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba after collapsing at home. Doctors attempted an emergency C-section to save the twins, Arbel and Tavor, but were forced to declare them deceased as well. The week prior to her death, Reut was rushed to the ER at Sheba Medical Center due to severe pain and was discharged, only to be hospitalized at Meir two days later and discharged again a day before her collapse. The family is convinced she died from pre-eclampsia, but the cause of death has not been determined. Itay Cohen criticized the five-day delay in establishing the committee and the six-month wait for the first discussion, stating it felt like the committee was formed merely to check a box. He was particularly disturbed by a committee member's comment that the committee might not be able to determine the cause of death, suggesting a predetermined bias. The family recounted Reut's final ten days, during which she suffered without a clear diagnosis and was sent home despite reporting a pain level of nine out of ten. "Would you send someone home with a pain level of nine? My sister collapsed and died 24 hours after being discharged," Itay questioned. Sheba Medical Center stated that Reut received comprehensive and professional care according to strict medical standards, adding that sudden deterioration can occur rarely without early signs. Meir Medical Center stated the cause of death is undetermined but did not address the family's specific claims. The investigation is complicated because Reut's parents, in their grief, did not consent to an autopsy. Itay emphasized that Reut was more than a medical case, highlighting her charitable wishes for her estate to be donated to Holocaust survivors and lone soldiers. "We won't get Reut and her daughters back, but there must be a change in how hospitals think," he stated, urging an end to automated treatment and a more personalized approach to each pregnancy. The Ministry of Health expressed condolences and affirmed the committee's commitment to a thorough investigation and lesson-learning.