Probe into girl’s death in Madinah hospital ordered

The father of Huda Al-Luqmani accused doctors at Madinah Maternity Hospital of diagnosing his daughter with dehydration and a minor intestinal swelling when medics at a nearby private hospital said she had a brain tumor. She died 24 hours after being first diagnosed.
In his complaint to the health directorate, the father also accused the maternity hospital of negligence. He said the hospital administration refused to provide a bed for the girl. He claimed the doctor who examined her told him that she was suffering from dehydration and needed fluid drips.
He added that as the hospital refused to provide a bed, his daughter had to be taken to a private hospital. She was administered fluids and had an MRI scan.
The duty doctor warned the father that her condition was deteriorating and that she should be transferred to the maternity hospital.
However, the maternity hospital did not take the child on the grounds that it did not have any spare beds.
“The cause of her death, as shown in the statement of the private hospital, is a malignant brain tumor,” said the father.
“On the other hand, the documents issued to me at the maternity hospital the previous day showed that she was suffering from some intestinal problems. Huda did not show any sign of serious illness when she went to hospital. She was walking and carrying the transfer documents in her hands when I took her to the private hospital.”
Spokesman of the directorate said an investigation into the allegations is under way and any officials guilty of malpractice would be punished, the newspaper reported.