Okaz/Saudi Gazette MAKKAH — The Health Affairs convicted a private hospital for the death of a patient at its maternity ward. Lawyer Bandar Al-Salamah said the deceased Tahani Khayat was a pregnant patient at a private hospital who died due to failure in the delivery operation. "The victim's husband, Emad Esmat, filed a complaint at Makkah Health Affairs against the private hospital. He claimed his wife died due to the negligence of the medical staff there. The husband claimed that his wife was forced to go into labor and was left bleeding uncontrollably which led to her death," said Al-Salamah. He added the directorate formed a committee to investigate the allegations. The committee consisted of two experts in law and medicine, a faculty member of medicine, two experienced doctors and a pharmacist. The committee members were all recommended by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Justice. "The directorate found the hospital guilty of causing the death of Tahani Khayat due to a medical error. The directorate found the administration of the hospital and the three doctors of childbirth and women's health, who were treating the victim, to be guilty of her death," said Al-Salamah. He also said the directorate found that one of the doctors was unlicensed to work for this hospital. "The hospital has not transferred the sponsorship of one of the expatriate doctors. The hospital has also not renewed its license and had manipulated and forged many official documents. The directorate will forward the case to Commission of Health Legislations as it is a legal matter," said Al-Salamah. He added his client Emad Esmat has demanded monetary compensation in the form of blood money or otherwise. "The hospital has sued my client claiming he has done SR900,000 worth of damages. The hospital claimed that my client has vandalized the hospital room, destroyed some equipment and physically assaulted a female doctor. The Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution is not holding my client liable to the allegations until further notice," said Al-Salamah. He added the hospital filed the lawsuit against his client in order to retaliate.
