JEDDAH: Many netizens are tweeting demands that Minister of Health Khalid Al-Falih resign from his post while others praise his courage in admitting shortcomings after the fire at Jazan Public Hospital.

“You are the best in the administration and the most courageous in taking decisions,” said the director of operations and planning at Prince Mohammed Abdulaziz Medical City, Engineer Saud Al-Tamyat. “Submit your resignation, and it will not be the end of your management career, but rather a new beginning with the understanding of management.”

Naser Al-Areej also highlighted his trust in the minister, stating, “We are confident that the minister’s task is difficult, as six months was not enough to fix the crumbling health system.”

“Consequences come from actions and closing emergency exits with chains is itself a moral disaster,” said media professional Moneera Al-Moshkhas.

Said Dr. Mohammed Al-Hathlool, a professor of economics at King Saud University, “I thank you for your courage and ask God to help you in carrying out your responsibility.”

“If this tweet were from the Minister of Health, we would wait to see the punishment and hope he would submit his resignation so we can establish a culture of admitting our faults and shortcomings,” said journalist Dr. Abdulazeez bin Dhiab.

“You took responsibility and we know you have no guilt or fault in the current situation; all we want is to see a real change in the health sector,” tweeted Mohammed Al-Qasser.

Other tweets expressed concern about the locking of emergency exits at the hospital and other facilities. “Unfortunately, closing emergency exits with chains is common and I want to know the reason why this is done even in schools. Are they afraid that someone will escape?” asked Lama Al-Qaseebi.

Al-Falih commented in tweets on his official account about the fire at Jazan Public Hospital, which resulted in the deaths of 25 people and 123 injuries. “The bulk of responsibility falls on the top official and leader of the health sector, and thus falls on me before anyone else,” Al-Falih tweeted. “My duty requires that I take responsibility and identify the fault and fix it, as well as holding those negligent accountable and preventing the recurrence of such a tragic incident. The safety of patients is always the top priority.”