A government mental health hospital in Taif turned away an 80-year-old man on Monday saying that he did not need to be hospitalized, despite medical reports to the contrary. The man, who has no relatives and was taken to the Shira hospital in Taif from Al-Qunfudah by his neighbors, reportedly carried with him documents proving that he needs continuous medical care. “The man cannot depend on himself and will not be able to take his medication as prescribed,” said Ali Al-Rashdi, who drove his neighbor to the hospital. “He has no one to keep an eye on him.” “The duty hospital director refused to admit him and instead called the police to eject us from the emergency room,” Al-Rashdi said. According to Al-Rashdi, he and the other neighbors of the man who were with him were taken to the police station and released later. The incident comes after the Council of Ministers' recent formation of a national committee to oversee the welfare of the psychologically ill and their families. A spokesman for Health Affairs in Taif said doctors examined the man and prescribed him medication, but concluded that he did not need to stay in the hospital.
