Have criminal offenses been committed in Algeria. Hospital director dismissed Sunday after Covid-19 death of 28-year-old doctor, eight month pregnant, denied leave, prompted case a strong emotion.
Following the death of Doctor Wafa Boudissa and the child she was carrying, the Minister of Health, Abderrahmane Benbouzid terminated the functions of the director of the Ras el Oued hospital (east), an administrative sanction , indicates a source close to the file who requested anonymity. The director's name has not been released.
Abderrahmane Benbouzid had ordered the opening of an administrative investigation on Saturday to determine the circumstances of the death of Dr Boudissa, instructing, exceptionally, the Inspector General of the Ministry of Health to carry out the investigations.
At the end of the investigation, the file is likely to be transmitted to justice and, if a serious fault is proven, the responsible person (s) risk being prosecuted for homicide by negligence, specified this source. Aged 28, this doctor, who died on Friday, was employed in the surgical emergencies of the public hospital establishment at Ras El Oued at Bord Bou Arreridj, 170 kilometers south-east of Algiers.
Misunderstanding and anger
In a television report, the Minister of Health - on a visit to the hospital, then to the young woman's home - expressed his incomprehension at the fact of having left an eight-month pregnant woman to work. The victim's colleagues castigated those responsible for the death before the cameras and demanded their departure.
One of her colleagues explained that Dr. Boudissa's request for leave had received the support of all her colleagues who had signed her request. His death caused a stir and an uproar on social networks, especially since the young doctor had priority to benefit from an exceptional leave.
A presidential decree, aimed at combating the spread of Covid-19, states that "priority is given to exceptional leave for pregnant women and women raising children, as well as people with chronic illnesses and those with medical vulnerabilities "
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More than 542 deaths have been recorded in Algeria, according to the Scientific Committee for monitoring the evolution of the pandemic, including 19 among medical and paramedical staff, according to the Minister of Health. Some 6,821 cases of contamination have been officially declared.