'Declared dead' baby buried alive in Saudi Arabia

(Representational image)

A hospital in Saudi Arabia's Taif city is facing closure in a case of medical negligence after its doctors declared a baby dead, when in fact the baby was alive at the time of burial, Saudi Gazette reported.
According to an initial investigation by health authorities, the baby remained alive for several hours after being pronounced dead.
The baby boy and his twin sister were buried at Al-Abbas Graveyard in Taif after a funeral prayer at Abdullah Bin Abbas mosque, Saudi Gazette added.
Saleh Al-Moonis, a spokesman, said that the Health Director has instructed the investigating committee to visit the private hospital and review its condition.
The family of the twins has urged authorities to take action against the hospital for its flagrant negligence 'as it did not try to save the life of a baby which lived for five hours after the hospital declared it dead.'
Hamoud Al-Harthi, a relative of the boy named Salman, said the boy was buried near his sister.
The family fears the investigation would take several weeks to complete.
The department has not yet taken any action against the private hospital and the incident has sparked anger in the city with people blaming the doctors for sheer negligence.
According to the report, the investigation committee has instructed authorities to prevent the doctors involved from traveling abroad until the investigation is complete.
What happened?
The Saudi Gazette reported:

'According to the department, the baby arrived at the Children's Hospital in Taif at 6.30 p.m. on Saturday. The hospital's emergency section found the baby's BP was weak.
The medical team at the hospital tried its best to save the baby but it breathed its last 7.15 p.m. and its death was officially declared.
The pregnant mother was brought to the hospital on Saturday morning with labor pains. She aborted two fetuses at 3.50 p.m.
The case was taken up by a consultant gynecologist on duty, the department said. After delivery it appeared to doctors that the twins were born without any signs of life. A pediatrician was called in after 40 minutes who also confirmed the babies were not alive.
The hospital then handed over the twins for burial. While washing the body, it was found that the heart of the baby boy was beating.
Red Crescent volunteers were called to transport the baby to the Children's Hospital where doctors attempted to save its life.'

• Saudi Arabia
• MENA