The incident occurred at a private clinic in Istanbul on 15/6. However, it wasn't until 11/7 that her husband, Elgar Sueia, publicly shared the news.
30-year-old Elgar explained that the couple traveled to Turkey from Mozambique as part of a collaboration between 32-year-old Buhr Buldrini and Tusa Hospital. In exchange for promoting the hospital's cosmetic services, Buldrini would receive the surgeries. The procedures, however, took place unexpectedly three days earlier than scheduled, before Buldrini could even begin the required pre-operative fasting.
Sueia said that around 11 PM, he was informed that his wife was still unconscious but would regain consciousness soon. However, after waiting for over an hour, he was finally allowed to see her, only to be told she had passed away.
In a press release quoted by Turkiye Today, Tusa Hospital acknowledged "an unexpected complication" during post-operative recovery. The hospital stated that it had provided the patient with all necessary legal and medical information prior to the surgeries. The medical team also attempted resuscitation for 90 minutes, but were unsuccessful. The incident is currently under investigation, and no final conclusion has been reached.
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Ana Barbara Buhr Buldrini, singer, model and KOL. Photo: Anabmusic |
Ana Barbara Buhr Buldrini, singer, model and KOL. Photo: Anabmusic
This is not an isolated incident in Turkey. In recent years, the country has become a top global destination for medical tourism, particularly cosmetic surgery, due to its lower costs and large pool of doctors. This boom, however, has raised concerns about quality control and the safety of international patients.
Numerous cases of death and serious complications have been reported, including infections, tissue necrosis, and adverse reactions to anesthesia. Medical experts advise caution when choosing to have surgery abroad, especially at facilities lacking international accreditation or those that expedite procedures while bypassing thorough health assessments and pre-operative preparations.
Turkey still lacks a robust system for monitoring cosmetic surgery advertisements on social media, where KOLs often act as "brand ambassadors" without necessarily possessing the appropriate medical expertise.
Thuc Linh (People)
