This is the moment a Brazilian politician slapped a computer while arguing with a hospital administrator after his friend was allegedly denied hospital care.
The cell phone video showed former congressman Raad Massouh confronting workers at Santa Helena Hospital in Asa Norte on Wednesday after they had allegedly asked Antônio Melo to make a deposit of about $19,500 to cover his emergency care.
‘I want one of you to tell me which bank will make a Pix payment at one o’clock in the morning for 110,000 reals,’ the angered politician asked. ‘Can any credit card pay 110,000 reals at this time?’
Out of anger, he knocked the screen off the counter and continue to berate the staff before he went to check on Melo, who was resting on a bed.
Former Brazilian congressman Raad Massouh was recorded destroying a hospital computer screen while arguing with staff over the alleged lack of care that was provided to friend who had suffered a struck and was unable to cover an invoice payment
Antônio Melo rested on a hospital bed in the emergency unit at Santa Helena Hospital in Asa Norte, Brazil while friend and former congressman Raad Massouh argued on his behalf after the staff reportedly refused to provide care because of an unpaid bill of around $19,500. He was eventually placed in the ICU and later transferred to a private hospital
Massouh told Metropoles news that he visited the medical facility after he was contacted by Melo’s family and only wanted to help his friend of over 30 years.
Melo’s daughter, Lia Nascimento, 44, told the outlet that she noticed his ‘speech was slurred and his foot was purple.’
She took Melo to Sobradinho Regional Hospital, where he didn’t receive treatment and then took him to Santa Helena Hospital.
‘They said they would find him an ICU room,’ Nascimento said. ‘More than two hours later, they informed us that a deposit of R$110,000 would be required for him to be transferred to the ICU. So, we called Raad.’
Melo, according to Massouh, was placed in the intensive care unit after the bizarre incident and found him a room. His family then had him transferred to a private medical facility.
Former Brazilian congress member Raad Massouh, who holds is a dual Syria-Brazil citizen, served in the Federal District legislative assembly from 2010 to 2013. He was removed from office due to allegations of embezzlement
Santa Helena Hospital explained in a statement that they never denied Melo care.
‘The patient was seen immediately upon arrival at the hospital, underwent additional tests, received a diagnosis, was treated for the diagnosis he received and continues to be treated and monitored,’ the hospital said.
‘Only after the care, the diagnosis and after receiving the necessary treatment, the family received an estimated bill because the patient needs to continue hospital treatment.’
Massouh, who is a dual Syria-Brazil citizen, served in the Federal District legislative assembly from 2010 to 2013, when he was removed from office due to allegations of embezzlement.
