Amputation of toddler’s toes: Investigation launched

The mother told prosecution that her daughter was diagnosed to have issues with her liver, since birth. The complaint says: “On May 4, 2019, the girl was receiving treatment for swelling and liquid accumulation in her feet. Surgical intervention was required and the child’s toes were amputated on May 23, 2019.” The prosecution has assigned a medical committee, after notifying the National Health Regulatory Authority, to examine the child and procedures she underwent.

Investigation continues pending the committee’s report. The two-year-old kid’s situation got public attention following reports appeared in the local newspapers. The reports blamed medical negligence for the circumstances that led to the amputation of her foot.

“Tragedy”

MP Zainab Abdulameer described the case as a “tragedy” and a “shameful” matter and demanded Health Minister Faeqa Al Saleh to interfere. Abdulameer, who’s the Deputy Chairperson of the Youth and Sports Committee in the Council of Representatives, said that such mistakes aren’t acceptable, “especially considering the advanced status of the Kingdom in the field.”

The Parliamentarian urged the minister to send the child abroad for treatment on the ministry’s expense and to form a committee to urgently probe the case and hold those responsible accountable. Zainab Abdulameer further warned that the time has come for Bahrain to place stringent norms for recruiting medical professionals.

“Serious policies are required to avoid such happenings which threaten the reputation of Bahrain in the health sector.” “Errors can happen, but these kind of blunders, classified as negligence or incompetence of cadres, are unacceptable.”