JEDDAH: The Health Affairs Directorate in Baha has formed a committee to investigate the deaths of five infants over the course of one night in the ICU of King Fahd Hospital in the region.

The committee was formed by Gharamallah Sadran, director general of the Baha health department, said a local publication on Thursday. A meeting has already taken place between top hospital officials and the department, including doctors and nurses.

The meeting reviewed the performance of the unit and discussed the treatment methods used and other related issues, according to the report, quoting a spokesman from the department.

He said the deceased infants were all apparently born prematurely and were weak. There would be severe penalties for anyone found to be negligent, he said.