Father of dead Bahraini girl queries SMC docs’ expertise

Manama : The death of a Bahraini girl on Wednesday at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) Accident and Emergency Department has stirred up controversy with the father questioning the quality of treatment given to her.  

Abrar Al Marzoog, 14, was admitted to the SMC on Tuesday afternoon, after she complained of coughing and sore throat.

Her father, Jassim Al Marzoog, told Al Ayam daily that his daughter was injected with two shots that led her condition to deteriorate and eventually killed her.

“My daughter was suffering from coughing, sore throat and frequent vomiting three days prior to her demise. I took her to a private hospital in Umm Al Hassam, where she was given some medications. But there was no improvement. So I took her to the SMC Accident and Emergency Department on Tuesday,” he explained.

“She was given intravenous (IV) medications and samples of her blood were taken by the nurses. We were asked to wait for three hours until the results could be verified. They also asked for X-ray screening, which we did,” he said. “Later she was moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as her heartbeat rate wasn’t stable.” 

AL Marzoog alleged that his daughter was given an injection by the doctor in charge of the ICU and that shot worsened Abrar’s condition. Questioning the qualification and experience of the doctors, he called for an inquiry into her death.

Probe ordered

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry ordered for an investigation into the girl’s death on Wednesday. The National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) announced that it’s investigating the matter, adding that the people involved are referred to the disciplinary panel in the authority.

Abrar’s body was laid to rest in her hometown graveyard on Nabih Saleh Island on Wednesday. 

Condolences could be offered for men in Maatam (community centre) Al Qattan and for women in Maatam Al Zahra in Nabih Saleh.