Political misconduct allegations at Goiânia hospital

A gynecologist and obstetrician at the Hospital e Maternidade Municipal Célia Câmara in Goiânia, Marcella Segato de Sousa Melo, faced legal and administrative scrutiny following allegations of political interference during an election weekend.

Initial reports indicated that Melo was accused of instructing staff via WhatsApp not to discharge patients because “the majority are Petistas” (referring to the Workers' Party). The complaint also alleged that the physician suggested medical residents' grades would be influenced by their voting preferences. The Federal Public Ministry (MPF) received a report suggesting these actions could constitute patient coercion and interference with voting rights.

Following the controversy, Melo was temporarily suspended. The Goiânia Municipal Health Secretariat took administrative measures, and the Regional Medical Council of Goiás (Cremego) launched an investigation into her conduct. While the hospital administration stated the messages represented personal opinions rather than official policy, Melo issued an apology, describing the messages as a “joke made in a private group.”