Widow of first plastic trachea recipient disappointed by Icelandic government’s decision to reject compensation claim

Mehrawit Baryamikael Tesfaslase, the widow of the first plastic trachea recipient, Andemariam Beyene, has expressed her disappointment with the Icelandic government’s decision to reject her compensation claim. Following this outcome, her lawyer plans to file a lawsuit against the Icelandic state in September.

Mehrawit, who currently resides in a small town in Dalarna, Sweden, states that her life has been dedicated to coping with the severe consequences of her husband’s medical treatment, which has been particularly burdensome for her and their three children. She describes the impact as resulting in post-traumatic stress.

In July, she received a formal response from the state attorney regarding her compensation request, which is related to the medical treatment her husband underwent at Landspítali Hospital in 2011. He was subsequently sent to the Karolinska Hospital in Sweden for cancer surgery, during which a plastic trachea was inserted. Unfortunately, the procedure did not go as intended, as the surgical technique had not been scientifically validated prior to its application, and it had not been tested on animals.

Mehrawit has declined to participate in an interview but has provided written responses. Her lawyer, Sigurður G. Guðjónsson, stated that they are preparing the lawsuit to seek acknowledgment of the state’s liability, although the amount being claimed has yet to be determined.

The matter has also drawn attention from various media outlets, with journalists highlighting that the state attorney seems to deflect responsibility onto others, emphasizing a shared accountability in the case involving both the surgeon and the institutions involved.