JAZAN: A former official of the Jazan health department is refusing to cooperate with investigators looking into the process of awarding tenders for hospital projects during his tenure at the Ministry of Health.
He has declined to make a statement before the investigation committee.
A higher committee opened investigations into the fire that broke out in a Jazan hospital in December last year and killed up to 25 people. The committee, comprising members from the Ministries of Finance and Interior, the Investigation and Audit Bureau, the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the Public Prosecution, discussed mechanisms of compensating families of the dead and injured, in addition to reviewing procedures implemented by the Civil Service.
A member of the health committee of the Shoura Council, Muhsin bin Ali Al-Hazimi, said hospitals that provide health services should have certain conditions, especially in buildings that are used to offer healthcare.
He said hospital buildings should meet required specifications and have isolated sections for X-rays, and directions to reach other departments, such as laboratories. Hospitals should also have diagnostic and therapeutic equipment as well as isolation rooms and suites.
Hospitals should have special infrastructure for gas, water and waste disposal for items used in surgical, diagnostic and therapeutic medicine. These conditions should be found in any health facility to ensure the safety of patients, staff and visitors, he added.
He stressed that the Ministry of Health is committed to these requirements and will speed up approval of health facilities that implement conditions and requirements.
Shoura member Lubna bint Abdulrahman Al-Ansari said when the Jazan accident happened “a former health minister said that all hospitals should have safety procedures. But there were 10 fires and we don’t know if these were just promises or if there will be implementation of decisions.”
He has declined to make a statement before the investigation committee.
A higher committee opened investigations into the fire that broke out in a Jazan hospital in December last year and killed up to 25 people. The committee, comprising members from the Ministries of Finance and Interior, the Investigation and Audit Bureau, the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the Public Prosecution, discussed mechanisms of compensating families of the dead and injured, in addition to reviewing procedures implemented by the Civil Service.
A member of the health committee of the Shoura Council, Muhsin bin Ali Al-Hazimi, said hospitals that provide health services should have certain conditions, especially in buildings that are used to offer healthcare.
He said hospital buildings should meet required specifications and have isolated sections for X-rays, and directions to reach other departments, such as laboratories. Hospitals should also have diagnostic and therapeutic equipment as well as isolation rooms and suites.
Hospitals should have special infrastructure for gas, water and waste disposal for items used in surgical, diagnostic and therapeutic medicine. These conditions should be found in any health facility to ensure the safety of patients, staff and visitors, he added.
He stressed that the Ministry of Health is committed to these requirements and will speed up approval of health facilities that implement conditions and requirements.
Shoura member Lubna bint Abdulrahman Al-Ansari said when the Jazan accident happened “a former health minister said that all hospitals should have safety procedures. But there were 10 fires and we don’t know if these were just promises or if there will be implementation of decisions.”
