ALL medical staff involved in the death of premature twins Fatima and Zahra have been banned from leaving the country until legal proceedings are completed.
This was announced by the Public Prosecution yesterday after it received the final report on the deaths from the National Health Regulatory Authority’s technical committee.
The sisters who died at Salmaniya Medical Complex were laid to rest in Bilad Al Qadeem cemetery on Sunday, nine days after their premature birth at the hospital on October 16.
The GDN reported earlier that the babies were pronounced dead shortly after their birth only to start crying as their father prepared to bury them on the same day. The girls later died after they were taken back to hospital.
Chief Prosecutor for Ministries and Public Entities Adnan Al Wadaei said his office received the technical committee head yesterday and listened to the findings of the investigation.
“The prosecution has been studying the report to determine the medical procedures followed with regard to the newborns,” said Mr Al Wadaei.
“Statements of their mother and medical staff involved were reviewed.
“The head of the committee was summoned and the statements in the report were heard.
“The Public Prosecution has issued an order banning all members of the medical staff involved in the procedures, from traveling, as investigations are ongoing to determine criminal responsibility.”
NHRA’s final report into the death of the girls was reviewed by experts from 13 medical specialities.
NHRA chief executive Dr Maryam Al Jalahma in a statement yesterday said the report detailed the authority’s investigation into the incident at SMC.
“The NHRA has submitted its final investigation report on the deaths of the two infants, suspected of medical errors, to the Public Prosecution,” said Dr Al Jalahma.
“The authority had launched an investigation based on the complaint submitted by the father of the infants, as well as the notification received from SMC and the Public Prosecution.
“A commission at the NHRA completed recording all the information related to the mother of the two infants, which include the date of her admission to the hospital and her medical records. It also took the file of the mother from SMC.”
Dr Al Jalahma’s swift response follows the Cabinet meeting chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, addressing the tragedy on Monday.
The session had endorsed that administrative and legal measures would be taken if an investigation concluded that the deaths of the twins at Bahrain’s main public hospital resulted from negligence or a medical blunder.
“The commission also investigated all health professionals who were involved in the case, including nurses and doctors of various specialities in obstetrics, gynecology and peaditrics.
Opinions
“It also took technical opinions from a number of senior consultants in the specialities of obstetrics, gynecology and peadiatrics outside SMC on both the infants.”
Dr Al Jalahma also explained that the authority always studies patients’ complaints with due diligence and follows up on its further proceedings.
“A medical complaints unit at the NHRA is responsible for studying patients’ complaints and legal issues related to medical error claims,” she said.
“The unit further follows up with the proceedings and holds licensed professionals accountable for their errors and breaches as per the law, if any found.
“A disciplinary committee at the NHRA also oversees the cases and holds accountable professionals for medical errors, violations of ethics and law of practising health professions in Bahrain, if any found.”
NHRA’s annual report for last year recorded a 13 per cent increase in medical complaints, of which 38pc were lodged against medics. The authority completed investigations into 177 cases last year in which, medical error was identified in 20pc with 37 disciplinary actions issued, including 10 suspensions, 18 warning notices, and one cancellation of professional licence.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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