JEDDAH, 8 August 2003 — Three government hospital directors in Riyadh have been fired for negligent performance. Health Minister Dr. Hamad Al-Manie took the action after inspecting the two hospitals.
The minister’s action affected the medical director of Raniya General Hospital and the director and medical director of Kharma Hospital, Al-Eqtisadiah, a sister publication of Arab News, reported.
Al-Manie also issued warning notices against the medical director of Raniya Hospital as well as the cleaning subcontractor of the hospital.
The minister later set up a committee to study the technical, administrative and medical conditions in the two hospitals and urged authorities to provide them with the necessary manpower and equipment.
Al-Manie instructed the two hospital authorities to set up a new system for handling emergency cases.
He also ordered a special panel to look into the situation of private polyclinics in Raniya as well as the quality of health services rendered by them.
Al-Manie inspected the two government hospitals in Riyadh on Wednesday and took action against negligent officials after finding administrative and technical shortcomings there.
Al-Manie, a former health director of the Riyadh region, has been conducting surprise visits to hospitals and health centers to ensure their proper functioning.
Wednesday’s tour by the minister covered the departments of preventive health care and training at the ministry as well as health colleges and institutes.
He said efforts were under way to open a maternity and children’s hospital at King Fahd Medical City in Riyadh. The ministry’s blood bank and central laboratories have been moved to King Fahd Medical City from the Riyadh Medical Complex.
