Seven referred to prosecution for smoking inside Al Bashir Hospital

AMMAN — Seven people were caught smoking inside Al Bashir Hospital on Tuesday and were referred to prosecution, an official source said.

The seven individuals, three of whom are hospital staff, were caught in a violation of the Public Health Law, which prohibits smoking inside public places, "let alone a sensitive environment like the hospital", said Mahmoud Zureigat, the director general of Al Bashir Hospital. 

"The smoking violations used to be more common at Al Bashir compared with other hospitals, but there are now continued check-up tours in the hospital rooms and corridors to ensure that everyone is abiding by the law," Zureigat told The Jordan Times on Wednesday.

He noted that the Jordanian law entails a penalty ranging from fining violators JD200 to a three-month detention, while the fines on directors who allow such violations amount to JD1,000 or a six-month detention. 

"The law applies to everyone, whether a medical staff, a visitor or even a senior government official," he said, stressing: "We won't be lenient in ensuring the safety of our environment."

The director explained that some health observers have the law enforcement status and can take action against any violations happening inside the hospital.

Citizens on social media hailed the measure, describing it as a "step in the right direction." 

They voiced hope that it would put an end to similar violations, not only at hospitals, but also in all other public places.

"Smoking in public places is such a heinous and selfish act," said Ahmad Eid, a citizen who suffers from chronic asthma, noting "the cigarette smoke triggers severe agitation for respiratory patients, who would suffer for long days later".

He called on people's right to a fresh and clean air and to a smoke-free environment in all public areas, mainly hospitals, where they are "supposed to receive treatment, not develop new diseases".

Regarding other complaints on Al Bashir Hospital, including the medical staff's lack of commitment and the month-far appointments, Zureigat said that the hospital has taken several measures to enhance its services.

"We activated the electronic fingerprint system to ensure the presence of all medical staff on time," the director explained, adding that "the medical clinics are now operating over two shifts, one in the morning and another in the evening, in order to receive all patients in sooner appointments".

He also referred to the establishment of a new unit of 10 employees in charge of serving the elderly and special needs patients, in addition to answering the public's inquiries.