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Relatives‍ of Electro-Dependent Patients Face Unanswered Calls ‌and Insufficient Support After Loved ⁣Ones’ Deaths

Unanswered calls, ‍lack‌ of support, ⁢and‍ insufficient offers after the death of their⁢ loved ones ​is the harsh reality that relatives of electro-dependent patients who died after the August⁢ power cuts are facing.

SEC Files Charges ⁤Against Enel Distributor

The Electricity and Fuel Inspectorate (SEC) has filed⁤ charges against distributor Enel after the death of three⁤ electro-dependent patients‌ during the ​prolonged power cuts in August.

Case 1: Benedicto Ahumada

Benedicto Ahumada, a 78-year-old‍ man affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, relied on his oxygen machine for survival. However, he died on August 2 at 10⁤ am due to the​ storm and ⁢lack of electricity.

His sister, Lucy Ahumada, revealed that she ‍had attempted to contact Enel ⁢multiple ⁣times, but her calls were unanswered. ‍Despite being on‍ the ​company’s⁢ registry as an electro-dependent patient since February last year, Enel only responded to her calls after Benedicto’s‍ death.

Power Cuts and ⁢Unsuccessful Attempts⁣ to Contact Enel

Lucy⁢ Ahumada questioned ‍Enel’s⁤ response, stating, “I asked⁤ if ‌they would come⁢ and install the ‌equipment they provide immediately. At some point,‌ they tell me: ‘You call and we’ll go over ⁢and install it.’ Well, ‌I told him, I called about ⁤50 times and none of the⁤ phone numbers you gave me answered.”

Insufficient Offers from Enel

Enel offered⁤ Lucy Ahumada a ​proration of the electricity‌ bill, but ‍she rejected the offer, stating, “How is that going to pay for my brother’s​ life? ⁢My family‌ and I decided to ⁣file a complaint.”

Other Cases of Electro-Dependent Patients

Two other cases of electro-dependent patients who ⁢died due ​to‌ power cuts have ⁢been reported. An 84-year-old woman suffered respiratory arrest after more‍ than 50 hours without electricity, and Gladys, an 86-year-old woman, died of bilateral broncho-pneumonia after ​being without electricity for 21 hours.

SEC’s Findings

The SEC ⁢has found​ that Enel Distribución ⁢SA ⁣failed to ⁢mitigate the‌ effects of the power cuts on the three electro-dependent ‍patients, despite being registered in the⁤ company’s ⁤registry.