Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry

Chapter V — Events at Salmaniya Medical Complex
689. On 16 March 2011, security forces began the second evacuation of
the GCC Roundabout. Many of the injured were taken to SMC. BDF forces
also began to take control of SMC, and arrested several individuals within the
complex. According to MoH records, on 16 March, 89 crisis patients
presented at SMC and 37 patients were admitted, with 22 of these admissions
being related to the protests. 296
690. Until 16 March 2011, when SMC was cleared by the GoB, the crowd
of protesters at SMC varied in size between approximately 50 and 3,000
people. The three tents and the podium were used by protesters, with political
speeches occurring throughout this period. The medical tent at the GCC
Roundabout continued to operate until the second clearance of the roundabout
by security forces on 16 March. Marches involving medical personnel also
took place periodically after working hours.
691. The security operation continued on 17 March 2011. Several medical
personnel were arrested and detained. Reports emerged of the detention of
injured individuals, particularly on the sixth floor of SMC. According to
MoH records, on 17 March, one emergency crisis patient presented at SMC
and 31 patients were admitted, with one of these admissions being related to
the protests.
692. In total, between 14 February and 17 March 2011, 2,034 emergency
crisis patients presented at SMC and 3,328 patients were admitted, with 226 of
these admissions being related to the protests. 297 Eight people died at SMC
between 14 February and 17 March as a result of injuries arising from the
protests occurring in Bahrain at this time. 298 According to MoH records,
between 11 and 16 March, 1,437 emergency crisis patients presented at SMC
and 518 patients were admitted, with 147 of these admissions being related to
the protests. 299 No corresponding information was provided by the MoH for
the period from 21 to 24 March 2011.
693. On 23 March 2011, a Royal Decree was issued instating Dr Fatima Al
Balushi as Acting Minister of Health in place of Dr Nezar Al Baharna. 300
694. Between 16 March and the end of May 2011, a total of 64 medical
professionals were detained or charged in relation to the events of
February/March 2011 in Bahrain. Of these persons, 62 have been detained at
296 File presented to the Commission by SMC entitled “Salmaniya Medical Complex Statistics
between 14 February and 22 March 2011”.
297 File presented to the Commission by SMC entitled “Salmaniya Medical Complex Statistics
between 14 February and 22 March 2011”.
298 Deaths occurred on the following dates: 14 February (1); 15 February (1); 17 February (3);
21 February (1), 16 March (1), and 19 March (1). See file presented to the Commission by
SMC entitled “Salmaniya Medical Complex Statistics between 14 February and 22 March
2011”, which includes official death certificates for these individuals.
299 File presented to the Commission by SMC entitled “Salmaniya Medical Complex Statistics
between 14 February and 22 March 2011”.
300 New Ministerial Appointments Pursuant to Two Royal Decrees: Al Homr for Housing and
Al Baloushi for Health, Al Wasat News (24 March 2011),
http://www.alwasatnews.com/3121/news/read/533865/1.html accessed 3 November 2011
(Arabic Text).
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