BAHRAIN’S health watchdog will launch an investigation into the death of a woman at a public hospital following claims of negligence made by an MP in a viral video.
The Government Hospitals, which supervises all medical facilities in the kingdom, in a statement, affirmed that it would take necessary action if investigations proved negligence resulted in the death of the patient at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC).
It did not, however, reveal the identity, age or ailment of the deceased.
MP Hisham Al Awadhi, in the video circulated yesterday, claimed that doctors had delayed treatment for the patient admitted to SMC Ward 62.
However, Government Hospitals said an initial probe revealed the medical team took all required measures on time.
“Results of the initial investigation did not reveal any delay in delivering medical care to the patient who had been under treatment at SMC for three days before she died,” the statement said, adding that the case would now be referred to the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA).
“The NHRA will probe the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death,” the statement added.
“The loss of any patient causes pain to the medical community at government hospitals. We are committed to give patients top priority and accordingly present them with comprehensive healthcare according to accredited protocols and standards.
“Negligence in providing necessary healthcare for patients will not be tolerated and procedures will be initiated if it’s proven following an investigation.
“We convey our condolences to the family of the deceased and pray that her soul rests in peace.”
Mr Al Awadhi, in the video, claimed that he had received a frantic call from the woman at around 12.15am yesterday following which he rushed to the hospital.
He alleged that the patient was trying to get a doctor and a nurse to attend to her.
“She was crying in pain, however, it was not until 1.30am that medics attended to her case,” he said in the video.
“I want to know until when this negligence will continue at SMC as doctors only show up two hours after a patient’s call, rather than immediately as they should,” he alleged.
“I even spoke to a doctor but he didn’t have an answer. We don’t know if the doctor was a trainee or a general medic.”
Meanwhile, according to a report in our sister paper Akhbar Al Khaleej, a parliamentary bloc has accused the SMC management of being responsible for the death of the patient.
The Taqaddum (Progress) bloc yesterday alleged that several senior doctors had retired or left the hospital as they were unable to cope with pressure.
The bloc deplored what it called ‘the continuous haemorrhage’ and loss of qualified medical and administrative staff, which it claimed hindered the ability of the medical complex to accomplish its humanitarian, professional and national mission.
It further called on the management ‘to assume responsibility and initiate systematic changes’.
&uuid=(email))