JEDDAH: The Court of Grievances has postponed to Muharram 11, 1431H a hearing concerning a Saudi baby, Yaaqub, who was mistakenly swapped with a Turkish baby after delivery at King Khaled Hospital in Najran six years ago.
Abdullah Al-Yami, the lawyer representing the Saudi family, said the court delayed the hearing after the Health Ministry's representative requested more time.
He said Article 27 of the Health Profession Law, which was passed four years ago, explains the mistakes committed by a health professional and compensation to be paid in such cases.
The law deals with mistakes in diagnosis, anesthetization, surgical operations, prescriptions, application of medicine, nursing, and negligence by gynecologists and obstetricians.
"The harm that has affected my client is an administrative mistake that took place when the children were handed over to their relatives after delivery; this has been confirmed by the Najran Court," he said.
The Court of Grievances has the right to look into cases demanding compensation, he added.
The two families have been suffering as a result of the swap. Last Ramadan, the Turkish father went to Turkey with his son, Ali, while the Saudi family received their son, Yaaqub.
When Yaaqub was taken to school he found difficulty understanding Arabic as he had been living with the Turkish family for the past six years. The Education Department in Najran has decided to hold a special program for Yaaqub to learn Arabic.
The Turkish father will come with his son within the next few days. The hearing into the Turkish family's case has been set to Muharram 10, 1431H.
