Vandalism puts newborn’s life at risk

Manama : The life of a newborn suffering from health complications was put at risk, as the roadblocks and vandalism in Northern Governorate prevented the shifting of baby from Jidhafs Maternity Hospital to Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC).

The baby, who was born in Jidhafs Maternity Hospital on Monday, suffered complications and it was required to shift him immediately to SMC.

SMC’s Doctors’ Head Dr. Jassim Al Mehza’a explained that the ambulance reached Jidhafs within five minutes upon receiving the request from the maternity hospital to transfer the baby.

However the ambulance was not able to reach the hospital as all roads leading to the hospital were blocked by vandals,  Al Mehza’a stated.

“The ambulance waited for about two hours and left when SMC was notified by the doctor in charge in Jidhafs Maternity Hospital that the baby’s condition has been stabilised,” he stated.

Condemning the acts of vandalism and blocking public roads, the doctor added, “The consequences could have been worse and the newborn might have died as his condition was critical and needed to be admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit in SMC, but luckily he survived.”