JEDDAH — A private hospital shut down without issuing birth certificates for its latest newborns, causing anger among affected parents. Turki Al-Salmi, a parent, told Al-Madinah the hospital shut down without processing the birth information of seven newborns. He said: “It has been six months since the hospital was shut down due to health violations. “We have not received the birth certificates of our children yet. We cannot process any official paperwork because we don't have their certificates.” He added that he admitted his pregnant wife in December and paid all the fees to the hospital. “The hospital had plenty of time to complete the official documents before it shut down. “I visited the hospital multiple times to receive my child's documentation but whoever was responsible was either absent or unavailable.” He added he had visited the Health Affairs Office in Jeddah and Makkah several times and reported the incident but their only reply was to wait until the hospital reopens again. “Am I supposed wait an entire year before they issue my child's birth certificate? “The birth certificate is the first step of all paperwork and documentation I need to do at the Civil Affairs Department.” Jeddah Health Affairs deputy spokesman Hasan Al-Bahkali said the directorate was aware of the issue and tried working with the hospital to reach a solution. “We shut the hospital down in January because it had several health violations in all of its branches. “We are fully aware of several citizens and residents who have not received the birth certificates for their newborns. “We tried to tell the hospital to finish the paperwork.” He added the hospital did not comply with the directorate's suggestions and there was no other solution except to wait for it to reopen or cooperate.
