Paraná Court Sentences Orthopedist to 10 Years for Charging SUS Patients

Overview

• Orthopedic surgeon Lucas Saldanha Ortiz was convicted by the Paraná Court of Justice, in a ruling signed by Judge Murilo Conehero Ghizzi.
• The case covers incidents in Toledo from 2015 to 2017, when he requested R$50 to R$200 during consultations or surgeries for services he claimed were not covered.
• Investigators said he cited anesthetists, instrumentists, gloves, needles, or even the surgery itself as the reason for the payments.
• The sentence includes a 10-year closed-regime prison term and 250 days-fine, with each day valued at half the minimum wage at the time; G1 estimated the fine at about R$98,500.
• The decision is subject to appeal, outlets reported the defense was sought for comment, and the regional medical council said a confidential ethics case is underway.