NAJRAN — The Civil Defense registered 22 violations against the Najran General Hospital, which it said threaten the safety and security of patients. Najran Civil Defense spokesman Col. Ali Al-Shihrani said the Civil Defense inspected the safety and security measures followed at the hospital located in Aba Al-Saud District and recorded a total of 22 serious violations. "We have submitted our report about the hospital to the Health Affairs to look into the violations and rectify them. We have done our part. We are not responsible for any further action or how the directorate deals with the violations," said Al-Shihrani. Najran Health Affairs spokesman Mohammad Al-Suqoor said the directorate has formed a committee for safety and security to review Najran Civil Defense's report and the violations stated in it. "The report stated that the hospital building has crevices and cracks on its walls. We have contracted a consultancy office in Riyadh to assess the safety of the building and are waiting for a detailed report," said Al-Suqoor. He also said the Civil Defense required the hospital to replace existing fire extinguishers with dry powder ones, which are easy to use and carry. "The Civil Defense also stated that the hospital must run a maintenance check on all electrical extensions and submit a report confirming that the extensions are in good condition and do not pose any potential danger. The report also stated the hospital must hang instructive signs on oxygen tanks," said Al-Suqoor. He said the report stated that the directorate must submit a report from the company, which installed the tanks to ensure that the instructions displayed are accurate and appropriate. "The elevators of the hospital need maintenance. The width of the emergency exits had to be at least 1.5 meters. The hospital must also install a steel railing for its staircases in the northern building. There are also wooden shards at the pediatric ward, which must be removed for the children's safety," said Al-Suqoor. He said the hospital needs to open an emergency exit at the physical therapy ward. "The Civil Defense has also requested that the hospital submits a report confirming that the vents and gas pipes are safe and maintained. There were also notices on the cleanliness and hygiene of the hospital. The hospital must ensure that the buildings are clean inside and outside and the cleaning staff must be trained on sanitation and hygiene," said Al-Suqoor. He added that the hospital must contract out to a company the task of trash collection. The report also stated all gates must be fire-resistant and the residence building and the main building must be renovated.
