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Baby Alaa 'neglect' case: MoH probe complete

DUBAI — The Ministry of Health has concluded its investigations into the alleged case of neglect, initiated by the parents of a new-born baby against doctors and staff of Al Baraha Hospital. But no details have been released to the anguished family as yet.

“The investigations are complete but we are not being informed,” said Usama Odeh, father of baby girl Alaa Odeh who was moved to Al Tawam Hospital after the parents accused Al Baraha Hospital of neglect. The parents had claimed that the baby’s arm had to be amputated because the doctors at Al Baraha were unable to properly manage and supervise the birth of a premature child.

“We have already taken the case to court, but are waiting for the ministry’s report,” he added.

Ministry officials were not available for comment.

Meanwhile, Alaa is still not out of danger at Al Tawam Hospital where she recently underwent a heart surgery.

“Each passing day still brings more questions to our minds. A day she is OK, but the next, she is critical,” said Tahane Odeh, the mother of the child.

Earlier this month, Alaa’s ailing arm had to be amputated by doctors in Al Tawam Hospital because gangrene had infected it after an intravenous saline drip was reportedly wrongly administered.

The parents, both Jordanian nationals, said: “Our baby was premature, and so she was prone to infections. In the initial 10 days, she got stomach infections. Later we noticed that her arm was beginning to turn red, then green and finally it became bluish black and had to be amputated after doctors started treating her at Al Baraha Hospital.”