JEDDAH, 12 February 2005 — A Pakistani AIDS victim in his 50s managed to sneak by his guards and escape from King Saud Hospital south of the city, Okaz daily reported.
A hospital staff member who preferred to not reveal his name said the man was undergoing tests and arrangements were being made for him to leave the country. One of the janitors accidentally left the door ajar with the patient taking advantage of the situation and fleeing.
Dr. Sanaa Filimban, director of King Saud Hospital, refused to attribute the escape to any shortcoming on the part of the staff, saying that “everyone can make mistakes.”
The Pakistani has been working in the Kingdom for 12 years and was hospitalized during the first days of Eid with his departure delayed because of Eid holidays.
Dr. Filimban stated that the patient’s sponsor cooperated with the hospital. She added that the patient’s family comprising his wife and four children have undergone tests but the results are not out yet.
