AN investigation will be launched into allegations that a swine flu sufferer was treated along with other patients at the Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC), it emerged yesterday.
Health officials have pledged to carry out a full investigation into the case reported at the SMC Accident and Emergency Department’s Resuscitation Room (RR) last month.
Bahrain’s latest sickle cell diseases victim, Manal Ahmed Hassan, 31, had died on October 18 while undergoing treatment.
However, it emerged later she was suffering from H1N1 with her husband and campaigners claiming they were not informed about her condition.
They say that she was treated for two days in the RR, posing a potential threat to other patients.
“This is a serious allegation and will be investigated thoroughly,” said a senior official, who did not want to be named.
“If this is true, it is a gross violation of not only patient rights but also hospital rules and medical ethics.
“We will conduct a full internal investigation but would encourage the patient’s family to file a formal complaint.
“We are also internally investigating whether there was any deficiency in the patient’s treatment while she was at the hospital.
“A formal investigation will be conducted after a formal complaint is filed.”
Sickle cell campaigners earlier made the accusation after it emerged from a blood test done on the day that Ms Hassan had died that she suffered from Swine Flu A.
They said after her death, they were told by some SMC staff that Ms Hassan had been diagnosed with H1N1 just before she died.
Bahrain Society for Sickle Cell Anaemia Patient Care chairman Zakareya Ebrahim Al Kadhem said that after investigating further, they found a report that confirmed that this was the case.
Ms Hassan, from Karranah, was brought to the SMC on October 16 and was in the RR for two days.
Her family was allegedly told that there was no room in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Campaigners also blamed her death on the lack of ICU beds, claiming she could have been saved had she received prompt treatment.
Of the 25 people who had earlier died this year, seven are alleged to have died as a result of negligence.
By MANDEEP SINGH
Gulf Daily