MAKKAH – The Health Affairs Directorate has decided to sack top officials of Makkah's King Faisal Hospital following the discovery of a young girl's decomposed body in the hospital last week. Acting on the recommendations of a committee that investigated the case, the directorate decided to dismiss the hospital's director as well as the heads of medical services, support services and the emergency ward. The directorate on Friday issued a detailed statement on the incident. It said the girl's body was discovered in a room near the hospital's emergency ward on July 17. Director General of Makkah Health Affairs Dr. Mustafa Baljoun immediately ordered the formation of an experts committee to investigate the incident and pinpoint those responsible for the gross negligence. The panel comprised representatives of the region's hospital administration, emergency and crises unit, forensic medicine, internal quality control, legal affairs and technical follow-up. The statement said the 12-year-old girl was brought to the emergency room around 7:40 p.m. on July 13 in a private vehicle, but doctors who examined her said she had died at least 30 minutes before reaching the hospital. This was confirmed by the girl's mother, who said she had stopped breathing at their residence before they took her to the hospital. The girl had congenital deformities and she died of natural causes, said the doctors who examined her. They said there were no marks or bruises over her body. After the doctors confirmed the death, the girl's family was informed to complete the paperwork to transfer her body to the city's Maternity and Children's Hospital. They were also asked to produce a copy of the girl's ID and other relevant documents. The body was shifted to the autopsy room next to the emergency ward, as officials awaited the return of her family. However, the girl's relatives failed to come back with the necessary paperwork and the body remained in the autopsy room. On July 17, a duty officer passing by the room detected a foul smell and informed the hospital management. It was soon discovered that the source of the smell was the girl's decomposed body, which was then transferred to Al-Muaisim morgue. The Health Affairs said the girl was buried later after pertinent authorities completed necessary procedures. It said all health practitioners who were found negligent in carrying out their control and supervision duties have been referred to the investigation committee for legal action. The directorate confirmed that all measures have been taken to prevent the recurrence of such errors in future.
