Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry

Chapter V — Events at Salmaniya Medical Complex
Roundabout during the events of February and March. 378 These allegations
are repeated in Case No. 191 of 2011.
764. The medical personnel deny such accusations, contending that all
equipment sent to the tents was done so officially and legally. Their version
of events relies on receipts, minutes of meetings and statements. The accused
medical personnel allege that the GCC Roundabout tent was approved and
supported by SMC officials. 379 This included offering overtime pay for those
involved in setting up tents, an offer that the medics refused. Minutes of
official meetings approving the tent, emails regarding the tent and receipts of
equipment sent to the tent have been provided to the Commission. A
consultant doctor, who is the wife of one of the accused doctors, stated that no
medical equipment was stolen from SMC. 380
765. The same doctor stated that the administration at SMC knew about
the tent at the GCC Roundabout and they had agreed to provide medical items
to the tent through the Assistant Undersecretary for Hospital Services and the
Undersecretary for Primary Healthcare. The administration also agreed to
send an ambulance to be on stand-by in front of the tent from 19 February
2011. They stated that this action was taken and approved by the CEO of
SMC and the Administrator of Health Services at SMC, and was facilitated by
the Chief of Ambulance Services. Many telephone calls took place between
two of the accused doctors, the Undersecretary for Primary Healthcare and the
Assistant Undersecretary for Hospital Services regarding the establishment of
the tent. These calls took place after 18 February. 381 Means of facilitating the
tent were also discussed in a meeting chaired by the Head of Primary
Healthcare Services on 20 February. 382 The decision was taken at that
meeting to provide the equipment and medications necessary to deliver the
required medical treatment. One of the accused doctors was asked to follow
up and execute that decision. The decision was followed by an official email
from the Head of Pharmacy at SMC to one of the accused doctors on 20
February, which was copied to the Undersecretary for Primary Healthcare.
On 22 February, the Chief of Medical Staff sent a letter to the CEO of SMC
regarding the provision of medical items and equipment to the medical tent at
the GCC Roundabout. A copy of this letter was provided to the Minister of
Health and the Assistant Undersecretary for Hospital Services. The accused
doctors claim that on the basis of the evidence mentioned above, there was a
formal approval of the medical tent at the GCC Roundabout.
766. A lawyer for several of the accused doctors provided the Commission
with copies of three official documents and emails showing signed approvals
378 YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waGPqSAviiQ accessed 4 November 2011.
379 Email sent to the Commission on 13 September 2011.
380 Minutes of court hearing on 7 September 2011 in Case No. 191 of 2011 (Defence witness
statements).
381 Minutes of court hearing on 7 September 2011 in Case No. 191 of 2011 (Defence witness
statements).
382 A copy of the minutes of the meeting in question was provided to the National Safety Court
in Case No. 191 of 2011.
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