Treatment For 4,000 AIDS Patients Uncertain As Hospital In Jeddah Awaits Shutdown

Jeddah Health Affairs Department decided to close King Saud Hospital within a fortnight and the fate of about 4,000 AIDS patients hangs in the balance due to deportation procedures. Some AIDS patients are still in the hospital despite the impending closure and the patients’ files have not been transferred, recorded or even electronically filed. // Ahmad Faden, Assistant Director of Health Affairs, who is supervising the closure of the hospital, said the closure would be permanent. He said four technical and administrative committees had been formed to complete the procedures for the closure and moving both patients and staff.

“The committees have already helped transfer the Saudi patients to a hospital east of Jeddah. The staff, including doctors, technicians, administrators and others, were sent to other hospitals and medical centers according to their needs,” he said.

The King Saud Hospital earlier requested all the government hospitals in Jeddah to continue treatment for the patients in their respective hospitals. Patients who will be deported will need to be in isolation since their health conditions might endanger the lives of others. The hospitals have reportedly apologized for lack of capabilities and specialized isolations rooms.

Faden confirmed that only non-Saudis were left and some of them have security issues with the authorities. Others are waiting the completion of their deportation papers and their return to their countries. So the hospital administration asked for postponing the transfer of hospital staff so that patients can continue to remain under treatment.

“Some medical cadres and staff stayed in the hospital to provide the medical and treatment services for patients until they all leave the country,” he said.

Source-Medindia