In an unprecedented move, a Shariah Medical Committee has ruled that two doctors should be imprisoned and fined for their role in causing the death of noted dentist Dr. Tariq Al-Juhani. The errant female anesthesiologist, known by her initials M.F. and the head of the anesthesiology department known as W.N. were each sentenced to three months in prison and each fined SR100,000. The committee also ordered they pay the blood money of SR100,000. Al-Juhani had gone to the hospital for weight reduction surgery. The committee also made the hospital, the anesthesiologist and the head of the anesthesiology department at the hospital pay the bill of the American doctor assigned by the deceased family at a cost of SR168,000. Apart from this, the committee fined the surgeon O.O. SR80,000; another doctor known by his initials M.T was fined SR50,000; and H.O. an intensive care unit doctor working in the hospital was fined SR50,000.The committee also confirmed earlier fines imposed on the hospital totaling SR360,000 because of violations which contributed to Al-Juhani's death. It also fined the hospital SR80,000 for employing unlicensed doctors and another SR80,000 for violating employment rules. Additionally, it fined the hospital SR100,000 for failing to abide by the bylaws governing health establishments. The committee also ordered a re-evaluation of the quality of anesthesia in the hospital and ordered the upgrading of standards. Immediately after the verdict, Abdulrahman Al-Ojairi, the committee's head, said all the parties involved in the cases have objected to the verdicts and would launch appeals at the Board of Grievances. Dr. Tariq Aal Ibrahim, the Al-Juhani family lawyer, also expressed his dissatisfaction at the verdicts. He said plans are under way to sue the hospital's owners. Ahmad Salim, a lawyer, said the fines imposed were not large enough because it did not even total SR1 million. He said the hospital made huge profits. He added that the verdicts were lenient and not tough enough. He said the doctors were being made scapegoats.
