News Editor Ajda Ender /Harrisons
A physiotherapist accused of illegally carrying out plastic surgery has been arrested after at least seven patients allegedly suffered horrific injuries including rotting genital and breast tissue, mutilation and severe burns.
Magda Oliveira da Silva poses in undated photo. She was arrested on suspicion of mutilating patients in Goiania, Brazil. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@dramagdaoliveira/Harrisons)
Magda Oliveira da Silva was detained in Goiania, in the central Brazilian state of Goias, on 21st September as police investigate procedures carried out on patients’ intimate areas, faces, buttocks and breasts.
Magda Oliveira da Silva poses in undated photo. She was arrested on suspicion of mutilating patients in Goiania, Brazil. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@dramagdaoliveira/Harrisons)
Police said some victims suffered extremely serious injuries to their genitals after Silva allegedly performed procedures she was not authorised to carry out.
Magda Oliveira da Silva poses in undated photo. She was arrested on suspicion of mutilating patients in Goiania, Brazil. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@dramagdaoliveira/Harrisons)
One patient told investigators that Silva removed far more tissue from her intimate area than she had agreed to, damaging and mutilating her clitoris.
Magda Oliveira da Silva poses in undated photo. She was arrested on suspicion of mutilating patients in Goiania, Brazil. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@dramagdaoliveira/Harrisons)
She needed urgent medical treatment after suffering bleeding and infection and was treated with antibiotics and other medication.
Magda Oliveira da Silva poses in undated photo. She was arrested on suspicion of mutilating patients in Goiania, Brazil. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@dramagdaoliveira/Harrisons)
Another patient reported intense pain, discharge and genital necrosis following a procedure.
Picture shows the items investigated, undated. Magda Oliveira da Silva was arrested on suspicion of mutilating patients in Goiania, Brazil. Note: Private photo. (Civil Police/Harrisons)
Other patients allegedly suffered severe burns to their breasts, including necrosis and dead tissue.
Magda Oliveira da Silva poses in undated photo. She was arrested on suspicion of mutilating patients in Goiania, Brazil. Note: Private photo. (Harrisons)
Investigators said reported complications also included cuts, bleeding, infections, loss of tissue, blistering, deep scars and persistent pain.
Picture shows Magda Oliveira da Silva, undated. She was arrested on suspicion of mutilating patients in Goiania, Brazil. Note: Private photo. (Harrisons)
Detective Alex Rodrigues said: “We identified seven victims, some of whom suffered extremely serious injuries to their intimate areas.
“She does not have authorisation from the responsible bodies to carry out this type of procedure, which is actually a surgical procedure.”
Silva is a qualified physiotherapist and has additional training in facial, body and intimate aesthetic procedures.
Picture shows Magda Oliveira da Silva, undated. She was arrested on suspicion of mutilating patients in Goiania, Brazil. Note: Private photo. (Harrisons)
But police allege that some treatments went beyond the technical and legal limits of physiotherapy and involved incisions, removal of tissue, changes to patients’ anatomy and the prescription or supply of medicines.
Investigators are also examining allegations that she illegally practised medicine.
Police carried out searches at Silva’s home and two consulting rooms linked to her following her preventive arrest.
Officers seized mobile phones, documents and medicines, including some that were out of date.
Investigators also said the premises were operating without a health licence.
One patient told locqaal media that Silva had not used sterile gloves or a mask during her treatment and allegedly used paper towels to deal with bleeding.
She said: “She had a very bad cold and was wearing lots of bracelets and rings.
“She would wipe her nose with her arm and then go back to carrying out the procedure.”
Police said video footage exists relating to one of the procedures, along with photographs taken afterwards showing injuries.
Medical and forensic evidence gathered during the investigation reportedly indicates that some injuries were caused by incisions and heat, including damage to genital tissue.
Silva’s photograph has been released by police in an effort to identify any other patients who may have suffered complications following treatment.
The Goias Civil Police urged possible victims to come forward with medical reports, photographs, examinations or other evidence.
Silva’s defence said she had always acted with professional ethics and stressed that the investigation must respect her right to a defence and the presumption of innocence.
Her lawyers added that Silva and her legal team were cooperating fully with police and the courts and said they expected the investigation to demonstrate that she had acted properly and followed the relevant technical protocols.
The regional physiotherapy and occupational therapy council has also opened administrative and disciplinary proceedings to investigate the allegations.
(Harrisons)
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