In a letter sent to Minister of Health Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, Chairman of NACC Mohammed Al-Sharif demanded an inquiry into the report, carried by Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper last month. “I hope you will give instructions to carry out an investigation following the newspaper report,” Al-Sharif said in the letter.

The chief of NACC asked the minister to provide the commission with details about the actual condition of the hospital and the reasons for its dismal condition. The commission has also asked the ministry to disclose who is to blame for the situation, Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper reported on Thursday. Al-Sharif noted in the letter that the commission is closely following up news reports about situations that affect the welfare and health of citizens.

The newspaper carried a detailed report illustrating the abysmal condition of the hospital. Speaking to the newspaper, several local residents pointed out that the old hospital building has been left unattended for several years. They complained the building has become a haven for stray dogs and cats as well as a garbage dumping area, posing serious health and environment hazards to local residents.

Khaled Al-Shamri, a citizen who lives close to the building in Al-Musaadiya district, expressed fear some people may misuse the abandoned building for immoral activities. The hospital building is located on International Road in the Northern Border Region.

Saad Al-Hamad, another citizen, urged the ministry to intervene and demolish the building. Meanwhile, Dr. Muhammad Al-Habdan, director general of health affairs in the Northern Borders province, said a project to renovate the building is now in its final phase.