JEDDAH — Tuberculosis patients are reportedly wandering freely in Al-Thagr Hospital, according to Al-Hayat newspaper.
A source in the Ministry of Health said some patients of African nationality were moved from King Fahd General Hospital to Al-Thagr Hospital. The latter was not notified of the condition of the patients, the source said.
Some patients refused to be treated at Al-Thagr Hospital so they could be moved back to King Fahd Hospital.
The source said hospital staff were apprehensive of dealing with these patients for fear of catching tuberculosis, especially as they do not receive any medical infection allowances.
Decision to transfer these patients to Al-Thagr Hospital still remains a mystery, especially since the institution lacks thoracic diseases doctors specializing in internal medicine, the source said.
Jeddah Health Affairs head Dr. Sami Badawood confirmed that Al-Thagr Hospital does not have thoracic doctors.
But he said internal medicine consultants are qualified to treat tuberculosis patients.
There are two thoracic consultants in King Abdulaziz Hospital and three at King Fahd General Hospital, said Badawood. Tuberculosis patients, he said, were moved from King Fahd Hospital because the isolation rooms there were not yet completed.
When complete, these rooms will have their own separate air-conditioning system and will be completely isolated from other wards in the hospital.
Badawood said some patients were also moved to Al-Sadaad Hospital in Taif, while others refused to be moved.
Whether hospital staff are paid medical allowances or not is down to the Ministry of Health’s regulations, he said.
He pointed out that such allowances are paid according to the specialty and location of each employee and are not paid to all.
He added that tuberculosis patients are required to wear special masks when walking in the hospital.
In case they refuse to do so, they are discharged from the hospital or are handed over to concerned government bodies, Badawood said.
Saudi Gazette
