Okaz/Saudi Gazette

TAIF – A disruption in oxygen supplies forced the evacuation of 17 COVID-19 patients getting treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the King Faisal Medical Complex in this western Saudi city recently.

The patients were admitted in different national hospitals in the city after the evacuation overseen by the Directorate General of Health Affairs in Taif Governorate.

Authorities opted for evacuation to ensure safety of the patients who required continuous supply of oxygen. Even though alternate arrangements like gas cylinders were available, authorities decided not to take any risk and ordered immediate evacuation.

Fifteen health teams from the Emergency and Crises Administration in Taif Health Affairs, five Red Crescent teams, a mobile gas unit and a Civil Defense rescue team took part in the evacuation process.

The Health Affairs was keen to transport the patients with their full medical equipment including mobile equipment, and technical and medical staff. This is with the aim of continuing to monitor their health status after evacuation with the same staff monitoring their health condition.

The Directorate of Health Affairs in Taif confirmed the successful completion of the transfer process and the safety of all patients. The official spokesman of the directorate Abdelhadi Al-Rubaie said: "The emergency plan was implemented immediately under the supervision of the Corona Committee and the leadership of the Director of Taif Health Affairs Saeed Bin Jaber Al-Qahtani, and with the active participation of several health officials."