A Belarusian flew to Nice via Istanbul — now he's in a coma in a French hospital. Local doctors recommend switching him off

Viktar Pahrabny. Photo: Instagram

Viktar Pahrabny from Mahilyow was hospitalized during a trip to France. Now, his family is raising 100,000 euros on social media to transport Viktar to Belarus and engage in his treatment and rehabilitation there.

The man's relatives have published documents from the hospital. Judging by the papers, Viktar came to France to relax — according to other data, he went there to work. He is currently hospitalized in Nice.

It all started during his travel to France: the documents state that Viktar flew for three hours from Minsk to Istanbul, spent two hours at Istanbul airport, and then flew another three hours to Nice. Prolonged immobility and flights are risk factors if a person already has blood clots.

After the flight, his shortness of breath gradually increased, and a week later he sought medical attention at a hospital. A blood clot was found in the man's left leg, and CT scans also showed signs of pulmonary artery thromboembolism. Nevertheless, French doctors write that Viktar was still in a relatively stable condition at that time.

He was hospitalized and started on an anticoagulant to dissolve the clot. This was in early June.

On June 8, the man's condition sharply deteriorated, his blood pressure and pulse dropped. A clot was found in his right atrium, and Viktar was transferred to intensive care. Subsequently, his heart stopped twice — first for seven minutes, then for twenty minutes; both times French medics brought the man back to life.

According to documents, medics connected the Belarusian to an ECMO machine, which temporarily takes over the work of the heart and lungs, and also to a ventilator. They administered stronger medications than before to dissolve the clots, gave Viktar antibiotics because infections were found, and connected him to dialysis because his kidneys were damaged. As of June 27, Viktar was still breathing with assistance.

Unfortunately, the man's brain suffered severe damage. When Viktar's heart stopped, he was put into a state of deep sedation — simply put, a very deep sleep. But when the medications providing that sedation were removed, Viktar did not wake up and remained in a coma. He underwent several examinations, which showed significant brain damage following cardiac arrest and the resulting lack of oxygen.

The team of French medics assessed the prospects for recovery at 4-5 points on the CPC scale. In the best case, this means a coma or vegetative state; in the worst, death. They supported their conclusion with the opinion of an external neurologist, and this doctor also voted for the cessation of active treatment.

According to French treatment protocols, the man is recommended for terminal extubation. Simply put, medics see no point in continuing to use the machine that helps him breathe.

As the man's wife writes on Instagram, over 55,000 rubles have been collected to date, and Viktar's relatives are awaiting confirmation for a plane costing 80,000 euros. On that plane, if all goes well, the man will be transported to Belarus.

Viktar belongs to a community of football fans, and one of the thematic Instagram accounts explained why an urgent fundraiser was launched:

«All this is happening in France, from where urgent transportation to a Belarusian clinic is required, because French doctors are reluctant to act, citing low chances of recovery.

However, the word "give up" is not about our culture and principles. Therefore, we are simply obliged to at least try to cling to his life!»

Blogger kocmos_stas also reports that Viktar's wife, Yuliya, is now with him and shares information from her:

«Doctors are suggesting she disconnect Viktar from the machines and offer no chance of life, but Viktar has reflexes, and he needs an expensive air transfer that could give him a chance to save his life and improve further.»

Another friend of Viktar, under the nickname borissborkin, clarifies that the man's lungs are currently working at only 30%. He elaborates on what Viktar's relatives are planning.

According to him, a ward for the man has already been prepared in the regional hospital:

«Now the main task is to get him home, and only air ambulance can do this. The cost of transportation ranges from 80,000 to 130,000 euros. Due to political nuances, finding a suitable aircraft is very difficult, but work in this direction is constant.»

The man's stay in the French hospital also costs money. A day in intensive care costs 4,000 euros, and Viktar's insurance covered 30,000 euros. Now, as those familiar with the story write, Viktar's hospital bill exceeds 90,000 euros.

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