JEDDAH: A reporter of local newspaper has written about his undercover experience playing a patient at a number of hospitals and health centers in Jeddah to uncover the truth about claims made by many hospital patients, from not finding a bed and long waiting times, to overly abundant prescription of antibiotics.

“Playing the role of a patient at the hospital did not come easily to me, as I had to practice for a long period of time in order to perfect this role,” explains the reporter of Al-Madinah newspaper.

He writes, “I arrived at a popular public hospital in Jeddah and waited for hours in the emergency department for someone to ask me about my pain or condition, but this never happened. Finally, someone prescribed me antibiotics without asking me what I was even complaining of, as though he was just trying to get rid of me.”

“I then went to another hospital playing a new role of a patient screaming dramatically in pain. I was expecting nurses to meet and carry me immediately to the first room, but this never happened.

I continued to scream louder and louder, but no response. I noticed two doctors engaged in personal conversation at the entrance of the emergency department. Telling myself I arrived at the wrong time, I proceeded to call on the doctor, but was told to wait a little longer, while the other doctor told me to enter into the room until a nurse came to see me.

The doctor finally came and sat next to me, asking me what was wrong, and then proceeded to write down a prescription for me. Upon arriving in the hospital pharmacy, I noticed three other patients had also received the same prescription from the same doctor.”

The reporter also writes of his experience at two other health centers and hospitals, where the waiting times to see a doctor were hours long, far exceeding his expectations.

In addition to this problematic issue of health services at hospitals and clinics, experts have also expressed concern about another common problem at hospitals involving antibiotic prescriptions.

Consultant of clinic pharmacy for infectious diseases Dr. Abdullah Al-Mahazei warned about the prescription of antibiotics to patients who do not need these drugs, noting that some doctors overlook the danger and side affects they may cause.

He said there are global warnings from experts against using antibiotics if not essential, noting that pharmacists have the right not to provide the drugs they see no need for their use by the patient. Pharmacists also have the right to communicate with the doctor to understand the need for the prescription and request a diagnosis.

Lawyer Mohammed Al-Sulaiman has pointed to the need for hospitals to request identification cards of patients, noting that hospitals that fail to do so can be considered partners in crime in specific cases where the patient might be guilty of a particular offense or foul play.

“If the case is a normal one of the flu or a headache, what is important is to provide the best health care service, as the state has created this service for all and we look forward to overcoming these issues so that there are no more vacant beds or avoidable medical errors in our hospitals,” he added.