Ahmad Al-Selmi Okaz/Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — The Makkah Court of Appeals has rejected a court verdict that endorsed a decision to shut down Erfan & Bagedo Hospital, court sources said. The sources said the Court of Appeals asked the Jeddah Administrative Court to reconsider its verdict. The Appeals Court had considered an appeal made by the hospital's director Dr. Muhammad Erfan Sunday. In his appeal Dr. Erfan objected to the Jeddah Administrative Court's verdict in favor of the Ministry of Health, which had shut down Erfan & Bagedo for two months following the death of eight-year-old Salah Al-Deen Yusuf Abdul Latif Jamil while being treated at the hospital. Dr. Erfan had lodged two appeals with the court to revoke its decision but it issued a final decision, leaving Dr. Erfan with no choice but to go to the Appeals Court. Earlier, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, Minister of Health, announced the closure of the hospital after it was accused of a series of medical malpractice incidents. Al-Rabeeah took the decision to immediately shut down the hospital for two months following the recommendation of an ad hoc medical commission set up to look into claims that the private hospital was responsible for the Salah Al-Deen's death. The Ministry of Health issued a statement saying the hospital would remain closed until it operates according to medical standards.
