Increasing demand has led to the shortage of beds at the Salmaniya Medical Complex, confirmed a health ministry official yesterday (November 20).

However, the situation is being handled with “great attention”, the ministry’s public relations director Adel Ali Abdulla was quoted as saying by Gulf Daily News.

Fourteen people were waiting for beds as of Monday night, he said, adding that not all of the patients awaiting admission could be described as "critical".

However, Abdulla said the "dynamics of the operation" were such that the figure keeps changing.

"All patients are given the required medical care and there are many measures that are being taken, including a follow up by a specialised bed utilisation team that works on the ideal use of beds at the hospital," he said.

The ministry exerts all efforts to provide necessary care, despite the great pressure, said Abdulla.

"It is hoped these obstacles will be overcome with the commissioning of the King Hamad Hospital," he said.

A GDN report on Monday had quoted hospital's acting medical records officer Sushil Kumar as admitting there were several patients awaiting admission after having received emergency treatment.

He said a bed utilisation team is always at work to try and make as many beds available as possible and attributed the problem to a "seasonal" rush of "weather-related" cases. – TradeArabia News Service