Nadia Al-Fawwaz Saudi Gazette ABHA — The director of Asir Health Affairs has referred a nurse to its committee of professional violations for allegedly abusing a patient in Khamis Mushayt's Al-Hayat National Hospital. A video clip was uploaded to YouTube showing the nurse apparently mistreating a patient in the hospital. Deputy spokesman for Asir Health Affairs Saeed Al-Ahmari said the hospital has suspended the nurse, banned her from traveling, and began an investigation into the incident. He added that the directorate would not tolerate such mistreatment, whether from government or public medical establishments. The medical director of Al-Hayat National Hospital, Dr. Ali Bin Ali, expressed regret over the incident and said all procedures have been followed. He said the nurse admitted to the incident and was suspended from work, adding that the case was referred to Asir Health Affairs. He said the hospital also regreted that the privacy of the patient was violated. He said the hospital would have preferred that the person who recorded the video had contacted the hospital management instead of waiting three months before posting it online. He said if the hospital management did not act accordingly, he could have then submitted the video clip to the directorate.
