JEDDAH, 23 June — The medical directors at Roudha Arid Hospital and Al-Quwaeyah General Hospital are facing investigations on charges of negligence in discharging their duties, a high ranking Health Ministry official said.
Appropriate penal actions will be taken on the basis of the investigating committee’s findings, said Dr. Hamad Al-Manie, director general of health in Riyadh.
Serious lapses on the part of the officials were detected by the director general himself while he made surprise visits to the hospitals in the past fortnight.
The two hospitals were also found unprepared to meet medical emergencies in spite of repeated warnings from the directorate to be on high alert as traffic accidents are likely to multiply with the onset of summer holidays.
The medical directors did not make any move to implement the schemes laid down in compliance with the instructions of the health affairs directorate. The quality of service at the hospitals was much below standard though they were equipped with such advanced facilities as computerized tomography scanners and supplied with sufficient quantity of medicines.
The irresponsible conduct, apathy and reluctance in offering services in these hospitals were frustrating and embarrassing, Dr. Manie said.
The director general also said that he will make more surprise visits in other hospitals and medical centers in the province to see that quality services are offered and that the hospitals’ staff are never negligent in discharging their duties.
He also warned the hospital authorities that workers failing in their duties would receive deterrent punishment.
