Friday, April 19, 2024
A patient mix-up led to doctors performing an abortion on the wrong woman at a Prague hospital, according to reports.
Medics blamed a “language barrier” for the unwanted termination on a foreign expectant mother who was four months pregnant.
The horror happened at Bulovka University Hospital when the woman attended what she thought would be a routine check-up on March 25.
But instead of a regular examination, she underwent a curettage – a surgical cleaning of the uterus – without consent or knowledge.
Nurses, doctors, a gynaecologist and an anesthesiologist failed to notice the error when she was put under anaesthesia intended for another patient, who was also a foreigner.
Following the devastating procedure, the woman miscarried.
Police said they were treating the matter as a case of bodily harm. Staff responsible for the tragic incident have been suspended. The hospital is investigating it as gross negligence.
An anonymous source told a Czech newspaper both women were of Asian descent.
David Marx, chair of the Czech Society for Quality in Healthcare, said: “The goal must be to do a root analysis, identify the causes, and set a process so that this never happens again.”
Bulovka Hospital spokesman Eva Stolejda Libigerova told CNN Prima News: “According to the findings so far, as a result of a serious violation of internal regulations on the part of the employees concerned, the surgical procedure was initiated on the incorrectly identified patient.”
She added: “If violations of mandatory working procedures are revealed as part of the ongoing internal investigation, specific individuals will be held personally responsible for it.”
Health ministry spokesman Ondrej Jakob revealed the hospital has apologised to the patient and her family. It is ready to offer compensation.
In the Czech Republic, abortion can be legally performed for any reason up to 12 weeks, up to 24 weeks for medical reasons, and at any point during the pregnancy in case of fetal anomaly.
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The American music duo will present The Clancy Tour to Prague fans next April, where they will also present their upcoming album of the same name Clancy.
The American music duo Twenty One Pilots, whose work is on the border of alternative rock, indie pop, and rap, will visit the Prague O2 arena again after six years.
Since their formation in 2009, Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun have become a phenomenon on the music scene, as evidenced not only by their multi-platinum albums but also their worldwide tours that have attracted millions of fans.
The Grammy-Award-winning band has shifted music and culture as an incomparable creative force and with an ever-evolving vision.
The duo—Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun— have tallied over 33 billion global streams and counting, sold north of three million tickets worldwide, notched dozens of multi-platinum certifications, and even claimed a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records.
In historic fashion, their quadruple-platinum breakout LP, Blurryface, took flight as “the first album to notch a RIAA Gold or Platinum certification for every one of its songs,” while Vessel followed suit and achieved the same distinction.
They elevated to rarified air as “one of only 18 artists to earn multiple RIAA Diamond certifications,” going Diamond with “Stressed Out” and “Heathens.” 2018’s Platinum-certified Trench extended the ambitious concept laid out in Blurryface and delivered the multi-Platinum and Platinum singles: “Chlorine,” “My Blood” and the GRAMMY Award-nominated “Jumpsuit.”
Exactly nine years to the date of the Blurryface album release, they complete this story on their seventh full-length offering, Clancy [Fueled By Ramen], out May 17, 2024.
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Prague’s unique skyline and historical center could be safeguarded by a new assessment process.
Three major construction projects, including the long-debated main railway station, will undergo Heritage Impact Assessments (HIAs) to ensure they don’t jeopardize the city’s UNESCO World Heritage status.
HIAs are a relatively new tool designed to evaluate the potential effects of development on World Heritage sites. Unlike Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), which are mandatory for most construction projects, HIAs are optional.
However, in Prague’s case, authorities are proactively utilizing them for significant buildings like the Vltava Philharmonic concert hall and the Výton Bridge replacement project.
According to Prague’s Deputy Mayor for Territorial Development, Petr Hlaváček, each project will be assessed based on its specific characteristics.
The assessments are expected to take around a year for the Výton bridge and could influence future discussions about the project.
As the Vltava Philharmonic undergoes cost analysis and awaits zoning decisions, and the Vrchlický Gardens plan is refined, these assessments will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Prague’s architectural landscape.
Rail Bridge
Prague’s Vyšehrad Railway Bridge, built in 1901 and granted national monument status in 2004, has long been in need of repair.
The railway authority claims that keeping the bridge and just replacing parts of it would be too difficult and expensive, and that the bridge as it is can’t cope with the heavy traffic.
Prague’s Main Train Station
Prague’s Main Train Station is in for a quite stunning transformation. A Danish studio has just won the competition to overhaul it, with a design that includes a huge wooden, canopy-like structure at the front of the check-in building.
There has already been some discussion about the fact that this structure appears so open, in a city where temperatures can get extremely low in winter. The ambitious project is set to get underway in 2028 and will cost around CZK 2 billion.
Vltava Philharmonic
Danish design studio Bjarke Ingels Group won the bid for its vision of the modern music hall in May 2022. The space will naturally be home to the Prague Symphony Orchestra and the Czech Philharmonic, but it will also serve as a public space.
Construction is expected to start in 2027, after completing the project documentation for the building permit and selecting a contractor. The Philharmonic Hall is expected to open in 2032.
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Former Czech President Milos Zeman was released from a hospital Wednesday following surgery for a blood clot in his leg.
Miloslav Ludvik, director of Motol University Hospital in Prague, said Zeman will now recuperate at home.
Doctors at the clinic discovered during a medical check on March 14 that Zeman had an insufficient blood supply in one of his legs because of the blood clot and immediately operated on him.
The supply of blood was restored during the operation but Zeman, 79, remained in serious but stable condition for days.
Zeman used to be a heavy smoker and drinker and suffers from diabetes and neuropathy. He has been hospitalized several times.
He has trouble walking and has been using a wheelchair.
Zeman´s second and final term in the largely ceremonial post of president ended in March last year. In office, he sought closer ties with China and was a leading pro-Russian voice in EU politics.
After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Zeman condemned the “unprovoked act of aggression.” He opposed initial EU sanctions against Russia after its 2014 annexation of Crimea.
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The term “idiot,” originating from ancient Greece, referred to individuals focused solely on private life, showing no interest in politics or public matters, and thus considered ignorant.
In modern democratic countries, the presence of “idiots” — those indifferent to public life and politics yet occasionally exercising their civic rights in elections — poses a unique challenge. This phenomenon has sparked debates about the wisdom of letting uninformed individuals influence future decisions through voting.
A notable instance of attempting to tackle this issue occurred in Bulgaria in 2016, where electoral law amendments introduced a rule disenfranchising citizens who fail to vote in two consecutive elections of the same type.
These individuals are removed from voter rolls but can regain their voting rights by applying for re-enlistment, a measure aimed at encouraging civic engagement and, implicitly, weeding out the uninterested or uninformed.
However, this solution doesn’t address the core issue of uninformed voters participating in elections. A proposal by Jan Kubalcík, leader of the Czech Conservative Party, suggests an innovative approach: requiring citizens to pass a basic knowledge test before voting.
This test, comprising ten questions randomly selected by a computer from a thousand, aims to exclude those lacking fundamental understanding of political and general knowledge from decision-making processes.
Critics argue this method discriminates against those who are ignorant, raising questions about the fairness and practicality of such measures.
Despite the Conservative Party’s long-standing presence in Czech politics, it has yet to achieve significant legislative influence, and Kubalcík acknowledges the slim chances of his proposal being adopted.
This ongoing dilemma highlights the struggle between ensuring an informed electorate and preserving inclusive democratic principles, leaving societies to ponder whether they are indeed “doomed to idiots” in the realm of electoral participation.
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After winter break, the magnificent Wallenstein Garden reopened yesterday, April 2. What about to escape from the rush of Prague for a moment?
Visitors can now stroll through the garden’s scenic grounds daily:
Weekdays: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
Weekends and holidays: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
For those seeking an even more enriching experience, Saturdays offer a special opportunity.
The Valdštejnský Palace itself opens its doors for free guided tours every Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with the last entry at 4:00 PM.
This chance to explore the palace’s historical interiors runs until November, so be sure to plan your visit accordingly.
Check out the Wallenstein Garden’s website, which includes more information and a calendar of events.
You can get to the garden via public transit, as several tram stops are spread throughout the area. The Malostranská subway station is next to the entrance.
Unsurprisingly, the Wallenstein Garden sits outside the Wallenstein Palace, home of the Senate of Czechia, in Prague’s Mala Strana.
Both the geometrically designed garden and the adjacent palace were built between 1623 and 1629.
Given the era of the garden’s construction, its baroque style and immense sala (a type of pavilion) are even more impressive.
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Spring is here at last and it’s time to get out in the sunshine and see what’s going on in town.
The next couple of months have lots happening around the city, not least of which are a number of events of prime gastronomical significance to Prague’s cultural life.
Žižkov district will host the traditional and favorite beer festival Žižkovské pivobraní on 31 May and 1 June.
Fans of the foamy beverage will find in the Parukářka Park more than a hundred varieties of beer from forty Czech mini-breweries and a rich entertainment program. Classic lagers, ales, wheat, fruit, unfiltered, and other varieties.
Sample beer specialties all day long and hang out on the hill in park with an exceptional view and let the kids run wild in the big playground nearby.
Traditionally, a wide range of snacks will be presented at the festival. Musical groups of different genres will entertain the guests from the installed stage. Visitors will also be able to vote for their favourite beer in a special competition.
Entrance is free.
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This year’s March was the warmest in Czechia since 1961, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute revealed on social media site X on Tuesday.
The average temperature soared to 7°C, a remarkable 3.8°C higher than the typical range observed between 1991 and 2020.
This is the second month in a row to break a temperature record; February was also unusually warm with an average temperature of 5.7 degrees Celsius.
Throughout the month, several intervals brought significantly warm weather, with average daily temperatures exceeding the usual range by more than 4°C.
While many Czech stations witnessed temperature records tumble in the final days of March, the summer threshold of 25°C remained unbroken.
However, April 1st marked the year’s first day exceeding this mark, with Karviná recording a high of 26°C.
February also witnessed remarkably high temperatures, averaging 5.7°C – a significant 6.1°C above the 1991-2020 norm.
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The Orloj, marking the time since 1410 at the Old Town Square of Prague is the oldest astronomical clock in the world that is still working; it’s also one of the most iconic symbols of the Czech capital.
Yet, on 3 April (Wednesday) at 10 am local time, it will briefly stop working – on purpose.
The reason behind this unusual and purposeful “glitch” is the so-called No Rush Day (Národní den bez spěchu), an initiative in Czechia, which aims to remind people to slow down and reflect on life.
It is particularly linked to the idea that rushing also leads to speeding on the road and this results in unnecessary injuries and deaths.
The overall idea of the initiative is to promote a habit of mindfulness and safety on the Czech roads and beyond. Last year, this careless urgency resulted in 138 deaths in traffic.
We give people a little more time to slow down and realize that not everything is urgent and that it’s often better to be a few minutes late than to not arrive at all,” explains Jan Matoušek, executive director of the Czech Insurance Association, quoted by Expats.cz.
The Astronomical Clock is a popular attraction with tourists thanks to its on-the-hour procession of twelve figures representing the apostles.
The 10 am procession on 3 April, however, will stop, and instead, the clock’s Death figure will toll 138 times during the temporary suspension to honour each of the lives lost on the roads.
The initiative will also be supported by the major media outlets in the country, the Czech Football Association, cultural institutions, businesses, and universities.
Wherever possible, the start of regular events and proceedings will be delayed in order to underscore the idea that it’s always possible to take some time and not rush.
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Czechia is not sufficiently prepared for crises and other extraordinary situations, says the Supreme Audit Office (SAO) in an annual report for last year published on Tuesday.
The Czech Republic’s crisis readiness was criticized by the Supreme Audit Office (NKU) in its 2023 annual report.
NKU warns of insufficient preparation for emergencies, citing mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and lack of substantive action. Weaknesses in soft target protection and defense spending inefficiencies were also noted.
Direct contracts for arms procurement raised auditors’ concerns about potential waste. Minimal practical improvements in crisis preparedness were observed, risking significant damage to public health.
A prime example is the recent acquisition of 24 US F-35 fighter jets, the most expensive purchase in Czech military history. While strengthening defenses is crucial in the current climate, the SAO emphasizes the need for efficient use of limited resources.
The Supreme Audit Office also said that it was likely that the state would repeat similar mistakes at critical moments; this could lead to significant damage and wasted funding and may endanger the health of the population.
The SAO also warns that the increasing national debt places a burden on future generations. This is particularly concerning as inflation erodes household incomes. The report emphasizes the need to curb spending and improve the country’s fiscal health.
While a windfall tax on energy companies and banks brought in some revenue, it fell short of expectations, and the state budget deficit remains high. The war in Ukraine has further pressured the economy with rising fuel and energy costs.
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A festival of Japanese culture called Hanami: Cherry Blossom Festival will be held in the centre of Prague at Klam-Gallas Palace on Saturday, 20 April.
The festivities will include a Japanese tea ceremony, martial arts and archery, Japanese calligraphy and stencil drawing, kimonos, and much more.
For those interested in participating, there will be open competitions for the best traditional kimono, cosplay, and haiku with multiple prizes. And towards the end of the evening there will be a Japanese-inspired fire performance.
The festival will also include cosplay contests, a sword-cutting competition, Tameshigiri taikai, and the degustastion of Japanese street food and beer with sakura leaves.
Admission to the festival is free, but a voluntary donation of any amount is welcome.
On the same day, preceding the main program will be a procession of samurai in historical battle attire. At 12:00, they will gather on Wenceslas Square, from where they will then march along the main streets to Klam-Gallas Palace.
Among the Japanese dishes on the menu are Gyoza dumplings, ramen, Okonomiyaki-style beef burgers, and sushi. To sweeten up, delicious macarons from the UwU Bakery, and the highly popular beer ice cream from Angelato.
Hanami is an ancient Japanese tradition that dates back to the 8th Century. The essence of the festival is the contemplation of the flowering of sakur (cherry blossom), and appreciation of its transient beauty.
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The anticipation surrounding the 24th edition of the Prague Half Marathon has reached fever pitch, as the city prepares to welcome an impressive cohort of more than 15,000 runners from across the globe.
With a new start and finish location, this year’s half marathon, (which is one of the prestigious SuperHalfs) promises to bring a new perspective to the scenic beauty of Prague’s streets.
The lineup this year boasts an eclectic mix of participants, each with their own story to tell. It will be run by several well-known personalities, such as the most influential sports influencer of 2023, Lisa Migliorini, aka @thefashionjogger.
Martin Fiz, the Spanish marathon world champion from 1995, will also take on one of the most beautiful courses in the world in an attempt to win all six SuperHalfs races in the 60+ category.
In addition, Slovak national Maroš Kudlík, known as @marosh_the_spartan will be taking part. Maros is a runner who has beaten cancer three times, and only has one leg.
Participants can also take part in the vibrant Running EXPO which offers an immersive experience with cutting-edge gear, nutrition essentials, and running innovations.
This year, more than half of the participants, comprising 115 nationalities, are from overseas. Germany, Spain, and Italy are leading the charge.
