Wounded Saudi left outside hospital for hours

A Saudi man who suffered from fractures in the back after falling down was left lying in the street outside the hospital for several hours before he was taken in.

Newspapers in the oil-rich Gulf kingdom published pictures of the man wrapped in a white blanket and lying helplessly just outside the government hospital in the capital Riyadh. Next to him was an unidentified woman who begged passers by to help him after he was left since 10 am till afternoon.

'Sharq' Arabic language daily, which published the photographs, did not say why he was denied entry into the hospital. But it published comments by Saudis who sneered at specialised public hospitals, saying they treat only foreigners.

“This man should have disguised as a foreigner before he was taken to that hospital…he would immediately be admitted,” one Saudi said.

Another Saudi identified as Asaad Al Mahdi said: "Is this what they call the Kingdom of Humanity…..I think it is but only for foreigners.”

Another Saudi who was not named said: "Yes you are right…it is the kingdom of Humanity only for foreigners…. We, Saudis, started to feel aliens in our country.”

A Saudi identified as Azzouz said: "If this man is Lebanese or Palestinian, he would have been sent for treatment in Germany faster than lightning.”