Health officials have visited Abdul Rahman and Fatima, the Yemeni brother and sister in Taif who have remained chained and locked up at home for 50 years due to reasons of mental health, after press reports drew attention to their plight.
A doctor, three nurses and social workers were sent by Health Affairs Wednesday to assess their situation after their elder brother said that removing the chains “puts their lives in danger, especially Fatima who is epileptic”.
The medical team issued prescriptions for the pair, while Fatima was scheduled to be admitted to hospital Thursday for treatment to an abscess in the ear.
“Initial reports on their state of health that they are mentally retarded, while Fatima suffers from severe epilepsy,” said Abdul Rahman Karkaman, head of Taif Health Affairs.
“Everyone in the family is going to be registered with the home healthcare program recently approved by Taif Health Affairs.”
Karkaman added that the brother and sister will receive periodical visits to check on their condition.
The siblings’ 60-year-old brother, who has been looking after them since the death of their mother three years ago, says that he is unable to provide the proper care they need and hopes they will be taken in by the appropriate rehabilitation center or hospital.
“Since reaching the age of 50 they’ve needed someone with experience to look after them and give them special care in terms of food and drink, hygiene and changing clothes,” he said.
Saudi Gazette earlier reported health authorities in Taif as saying that rules do not permit non-Saudis to be hospitalized and treated without specific directives stating otherwise.
A day before Wednesday’s visit from Health Affairs, representatives of the National Society for Human Rights arrived at the house in preparation for a report they said would be submitted to the relevant authorities to secure help for the brother and sister.
Muhammad Saeed Al-Zahrani
Saudi Gazette