A PROBE has been launched after a sickle cell patient was allegedly given expired antibiotics by a pharmacy at Bahrain’s main hospital.
Ali Al Khabbas, 22, was prescribed the drug on Thursday, which he collected from a store at the Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC).
“He discovered the error after questioning a nursing supervisor who told him it was fine to consume the tablet,” said Bahrain Society for Sickle Cell Anaemia Patient Care chairman Zakareya Ebrahim Al Kadhem.
“The question is, how can a staff at the hospital ensure that an expired medicine will cause no damage to a sickle cell patient and then add that it’s okay to consume the tablet despite expiry date printed on it by the manufacturer?”
A Health Ministry official yesterday confirmed an investigation was underway. “They have asked the patient to provide details so they can verify facts with pharmacy staff at the,” he said. “Furthermore, the patient has taken up the case with the Patient’s Complaint Office for further investigation.”
Meanwhile, a crisis in which more than 100 SMC patients had been waiting for beds has been resolved, said officials. Of those left waiting on Thursday, at least 70 had sickle cell disease.
In the last 11 months, at least seven of the 28 sickle cell deaths have been reportedly blamed on negligence by staff and bed shortages.
The ministry previously announced that work on a new 90-bed haematology centre at the SMC had begun. The BD2.5 million, four-storey facility will treat patients with blood diseases, but will be of particular help for sickle cell disease sufferers.
Earlier this month, officials announced a new initiative for sickle cell patients, which would cut queues at public hospitals and provide them with immediate attention.
Each sickle cell sufferer is to be given a sticker featuring a High Risk Patient Code to alert doctors and nurses that the case is high priority.
SANDEEP SINGH GREWAL
Gulf Daily