Maíra Vieira Coelho, a housewife from Tocantins, Brazil, was hit by a car in October 2024, resulting in a right knee fracture. After seeking treatment in the public health system at the General Hospital of Palmas, she underwent an operation; however, the surgical team mistakenly operated on her left knee instead of the right. Despite acknowledging the error prior to her discharge, the hospital sent her home without addressing the mistake, which has since resulted in ongoing pain for the patient.

After recognizing the surgical error, Coelho sought further medical assistance at her local Basic Health Unit, where an orthopedic specialist ordered MRI scans that confirmed the fracture in the correct knee. She has been referred for additional pre-surgical consultation as she awaits corrective surgery. This incident raises serious questions about patient safety protocols and the quality of care within the public healthcare system in Brazil, where overworked staff may contribute to preventable medical mistakes.

The State Health Department (SES-TO) has stated that Coelho entered the hospital with multiple traumatic injuries and underwent various protocols according to medical evaluations. This situation suggests systemic issues within the public healthcare infrastructure, reflecting wider concerns about the treatment facilities available to citizens and the necessity for improved oversight to prevent similar incidents in the future.