Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — A private hospital in Southwest Jeddah was ordered closed after several violations including working with an expired license were detected.

A health committee comprising Civil Defense and the Health Affairs Department also recommended closure of another private hospital in Central Jeddah for various violations, according to informed sources.

The health committee visited the two hospitals separately and noted a number of violations adversely affecting patients.

The license of the hospital in southwest Jeddah expired in 2010, sources said.

The committees also found out that a number of doctors were working without health certificates in all the departments and divisions.

Health Affairs Department officials inspected the downtown hospital after receiving reports from the Civil Defense that one of its two buildings was old and cracking and is posing continuous threats to the patients.

The Civil Defense also said the area in which the hospital is located is not safe and may obstruct its efforts in case of any emergency situation.

The department compiled a report about the condition of the hospital and recommended that it be temporarily closed down.

It said hundreds of patients visit the hospital's old building every day jeopardizing their lives and safety.

According to sources, the hospital has contracted an engineering consultancy firm to make all the necessary amendments to correct the loopholes noted by the Civil Defense.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health announced on Sunday that a Saudi citizen in Riyadh had died of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus while three new cases of the virus were reported.

According to the ministry, a 75-year old Saudi in Riyadh has got the virus from mixing with camels.

The second case involves another Saudi man in his 60s from Madinah and the third is a 45-year-old woman from Rafha.

The ministry said a 47-year-old expatriate in Al-Hafouf is cured and is now in good health.