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25 February 2025

Polish Soccer Player Dies From Malaria After Hospital Neglect

Parents allege medical staff ignored key travel information leading to tragedy

Tragedy struck the Polish soccer community when 24-year-old Aleksander Biegański, who played for first-division club Kotwica Kołobrzeg, died due to complications from malaria shortly after returning from what was supposed to be the trip of his dreams to Zanzibar. The popular tropical island off the coast of Tanzania, known for its pristine beaches and vibrant culture, has recently drawn many Polish travelers seeking adventure.

On December 27, 2022, Biegański returned to Poland filled with vibrant tales of his vacation. "He was happy when he spoke about his time there, it was the best holiday of his life," recalled his sister, Maja Biegańska. But the situation took a dramatic turn shortly after his return. On January 4, he called his mother, Monika, to say he was feeling unwell and wouldn’t be able to train due to what he thought was simply a cold. Days later, his health worsened severely, leading to high fever and other worrying symptoms.

Just eleven days after arriving back from Zanzibar, Biegański was admitted to the emergency room at MSWiA Hospital in Katowice with suspected pneumonia. His parents, who accompanied him, relayed to the medical staff his recent travel history and the symptoms he was displaying. This included chills and high fever, both indicators commonly associated with malaria, especially considering his travels to a malaria-endemic region.

Shockingly, instead of conducting tests for malaria, the hospital staff diagnosed him with appendicitis and proceeded to operate on the young athlete. His parents allege they repeatedly informed the doctors about his trip to Zanzibar, but their warnings were dismissed. "When I came and mentioned Zanzibar, they kept pushing me away," stated Dariusz Biegański, Aleksander’s father. "They ignored the most basic premise, which was Zanzibar. I kept saying it, and they kept insisting it couldn’t possibly be malaria because he wouldn't have shown symptoms so quickly after returning." Monika echoed her husband’s frustration, recalling, "My child was fighting to communicate, telling them he had been to Zanzibar, but no one was listening."

Over the next few days, Aleksander’s condition only worsened. He struggled to drink water and was unable to communicate effectively due to his rapid decline. Despite being under observation for abdominal pain and other serious symptoms, the medical records indicated minimal recognition of his travel history. Documentation recorded vague notes about his stay in Zanzibar, yet no moratorium on diagnosing potential tropical diseases was applied.

After three days of inadequate care at the first hospital, the Biegański family insisted on transferring Aleksander to the infectious diseases ward at Górnośląskie Centrum Medyczne. There, doctors quickly performed the necessary malaria tests, which confirmed the diagnosis. Sadly, by the time the test results came through, it was too late; Aleksander had stopped breathing, and resuscitation attempts failed.

Health experts and infectious disease specialists have pointed out the importance of recognizing malaria as a potential threat for patients returning from endemic areas. "The incubation period for malaria can vary from about 7 to approximately 14 days," stated Prof. Anna Boroń-Kaczmarska, emphasizing the need for proper evaluation of returning travelers exhibiting fever and symptoms indistinguishable from the common flu. With malaria being one of the most common infectious diseases worldwide, the reality of this case highlights significant systemic failures.

Janusz Milejski, the deputy director of MSWiA Hospital, indicated during interviews with media outlets such as Uwaga TVN, "We did not receive information about Zanzibar until the third day of treatment." This statement was met with disbelief from Aleksander’s family, who maintained they had shared this information from the outset.

Shockingly, the hospital has not provided satisfactory answers or evidence to the Biegański family’s inquiries. Commentary from health officials pointed out the missed opportunities for diagnosis and intervention, reiterative to the family’s assertion of malpractice. "Had proper diagnostic measures been taken, the chances of survival would have been significantly higher," commented Prof. Boroń-Kaczmarska. With the overwhelming evidence pointing to negligence, the Biegański family has announced plans to pursue legal action against the hospital.

The loss of Aleksander Biegański is not only a devastating blow to his family and friends; it serves as a grim reminder of the urgency surrounding malaria awareness and the treatment protocols needed for returning travelers. The tragedy brings to light the necessity for improved education within medical institutions concerning tropical diseases and the importance of listening to patients and their families.