The family of dentist Tariq Al-Juhani, who died due to an alleged medical error during surgery at a private hospital in Jeddah, wants the hospital responsible to face criminal charges. The family stated that it does not view his death merely as a medical error. The family's lawyer presented his case Tuesday to the Medical Shariah Commission affiliated to the court. The charge which previously involved the anesthetist, now includes nine doctors and technicians. Lawyer Tariq Aal Ibrahim said the case included a number of violations committed inside the operating theater, including the presence of unauthorized and under-qualified staff participating in the operation, negligence, and lack of medical technology for the weight-reduction surgery. Al-Juhani died on Dec. 17 after falling into a 21-day coma following the operation. The lawyer said that Al-Juhani had no chronic diseases that could have caused his death as the hospital had claimed. An incorrect dose of anesthesia led to Al-Juhani's brain death, which put him in a coma before he was pronounced dead, he said. Aal Ibrahim has called for a severe Shariah punishment for the hospital and its staff. Abdulrahman Al-Ajeery, chairman of the commission, said they have received the new charges raised against the defendants, who have requested time to reply to it. A health team from the Jeddah Health Department had earlier inspected the hospital and cited four medical violations. It has recommended legal action against the hospital. The defendants were given a grace period until March 2 to present their case. The operating theater has been closed at the order of the Minister of Health. It can only be opened with the minister's personal approval.
