The intensive care unit of King Abdulaziz Hospital in south Jeddah suffers from a low level of hygiene according to doctors and patients visiting the facility, Al-Madina newspaper reported. Large numbers of patients are crammed into small areas, which are poorly ventilated and infested with insects, the paper said. The situation raises the specter of another coronavirus outbreak in a major healthcare facility in the city. Several cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) were detected at King Fahd General Hospital in Jeddah in 2014. Worries about spread of the virus had prompted the temporary closure of the hospital›s emergency department. According to Health Ministry officials, lack of hygiene, poor ventilation and overcrowding were among the causes of the virus spreading at King Fahd Hospital›s emergency department. Seven consultants at King Abdulaziz Hospital filed a complaint with the Ministry of Health last October about the work environment as a result of certain administrative decisions, which they described as "abuses". They said these decisions led to the departure of some staff members from the hospital, which reflected negatively on the therapeutic and medical services provided and resulted in a shortage of some medicines and medical supplies. This, they said, has transformed the hospital›s emergency department into the worst section. The gastroenterology unit at the hospital has stopped working and the development of endoscopy department has been disrupted, leading to a breach of the therapeutic rights of patients who are admitted to the unit. Some of the patients suffer from bleeding or other serious complications in the digestive tract, the doctors said in their complaint. A number of patients said those who go to the intensive care unit with a disease might come out contracting another due to a lack of proper ventilation at the facility. They said their observations and complaints about emergency care were being ignored. The Ministry of Health confirmed that there are projects for the development of the hospital, including the expansion of the emergency and ICU beds. Dr. Seren Jawharji, a physician, confirmed that providing a healthy medical environment is the least that should be available to patients within intensive care units, according to specific medical measures. "Clean air and a healthy environment helps the nursing staff and doctors to play their roles to the fullest to serve the patient," she said. Emergency Consultant Dr. Badr Makkawi said there should be sufficient space between hospital beds. He said a gap of 2.44 meters and 1.1 meters should be maintained between the beds at the corners and sidewalls. The space for passage at the bottom of the bed should be at least 1.2 meters to allow free movement of medical staff and equipment. Official spokesman for the Ministry of Health Mishaal Al-Rubaiaan explained that there has been expansion to the emergency department at King Abdulaziz Hospital in line with the ministry›s policy of constantly improving healthcare services.
