Naples – A department riddled with internal tensions, constant disagreements, and a working environment described as "highly conflictual." This is the picture that emerged from the testimony given to the Public Prosecutor's Office by a perfusion technician working in the Cardiac Surgery Department of the Monaldi Hospital, who was recently interviewed by magistrates as part of the investigation into the failed transplant of little Domenico Caliendo.
The professional was present in the operating room on December 23, when the lifesaving surgery could not be completed after the heart intended for the child, coming from Bolzano, was damaged during transport.
Before the public prosecutor, the woman described a work environment marked by strong internal friction, attributed in particular to the character of the head physician involved in the investigation.
"The atmosphere in our department wasn't the best," he said. "In recent years, about fifty people have left precisely because of the conflict Dr. Oppido generated."
Tensions after the media scandal broke
The testimony focuses primarily on the days following the story's coverage in the national media, when a state of strong unrest reportedly spread within the hospital among doctors and healthcare workers.
The most delicate moment dates back to February 10th, when the witness was summoned to the office of the head physician, one of those under investigation for the transplant operation.
“He spoke to me in a threatening tone,” she said, “showing me the medical records and asking me how it was possible that he had clamped the heart at 2:18 pm when it was already out of the hospital.”
"Have you seen the kind of people I'm dealing with?"
During that meeting, according to the reconstruction provided to the Prosecutor's Office, the situation apparently degenerated.
The doctor, addressing his surgical team in the room, allegedly vented his anger with harsh words and gestures. "He kicked the radiator," the witness reported, "and exclaimed, 'Do you see what kind of shitty people I'm dealing with?'"
The woman said she left the office feeling "very disappointed." In the following days, she spoke with a specialist nurse who told her that the head physician had accused her of not understanding which vessel had been clamped during the procedure.
The colleague was also reportedly subjected to verbal abuse, although the witness was unable to specify exactly how the attack occurred.
The meeting before the interrogations
A further episode dates back to February 16, when the entire surgical team was summoned to the doctors' room, in front of the head physician's office.
"He told us that what had happened wasn't our fault," the perfusionist declared, "and that we should stay calm in anticipation of the judicial questioning."
These elements are now being examined by investigators, called upon to clarify the responsibilities and dynamics of one of the most sensitive health cases of recent months.
Changes and revisions to this article
- Article updated on 28/02/2026 at 15:02 PM - Content typo corrected
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
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