Plans for King Fahd surgery cause commotion

Jordan Times ^ | 25 July 2002

[Thinkin' Gal]

'Plans for King Fahd surgery cause commotion'

GENEVA (AP) — Plans for King Fahd of Saudi Arabia to undergo cataract surgery has caused an upheaval at the hospital of the University of Geneva, a newspaper reported Wednesday.

“I saw couches, beds and furniture arrive,” the Tribune de Geneve quoted a patient as saying. “They made noise all night. We weren't even warned. They even moved one patient to make space.” The 81-year-old king, vacationing since May in a residence he owns in Geneva, has rented part of the hospital's ninth floor, which is reserved for private care, the newspaper said.

The hospital, which confirmed that it has been in discussions with Fahd, refused to disclose any details about his condition or when the surgery might take place.

“Public figures have the same right to privacy and confidentiality as any other patient,” a statement said.

But the hospital said it was prepared to make special arrangements for the king, including security precautions.

“Discussions allowed us to establish the necessary and optimal conditions in case of hospitalisation,” it said.

The Tribune de Geneve, which identified the patient it quoted only by his first name Sergio, described the furniture as being piled in the hall with carpets, television sets and DVD players. The newspaper said some patients had been turned away as a result of the reduced space and that nurses were drafted from other parts of the hospital to beef up the staff caring for the king.

Fahd had reportedly threatened to switch to another clinic outside Geneva after hospital officials refused to meet his demand that an American doctor perform the surgery and bring his own equipment. Fahd later changed his mind and decided to stay in the city, the paper said.

“The king reserved several rooms in case there was a problem,” Jean-Christophe Bretton, the hospital's deputy director, told the newspaper. “In summer, it's easy. We have room. He asked to be operated on by a surgeon who is not part of our establishment.

“While it happens that sometimes we have colleagues who are invited, surgery is always supervised by a HUG doctor,” Bretton said. The hospital refers to itself as HUG. The newspaper said two members of Fahd's court also were expected to undergo surgery, although it did not specify what kind.

It is the ailing monarch's first vacation abroad since 1999. Fahd originally intended to stay in Geneva for three weeks and then go to the Spanish resort of Marbella, but now reportedly is planning to stay at least until mid-August.

Last Friday Fahd was visited by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to discuss attempts to broker peace between Israel and the Palestinians, officials said.

Fahd suffered a stroke in 1995, leaving him with short-term memory loss and an inability to concentrate for long stretches. During meetings with foreign dignitaries, he is usually accompanied by close family members to avoid any potential embarrassment.

Thursday, July 25, 2002

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

Shows how backward Saudi Arabia really is. This dude is a king and he's got to go out of the country for a simple operation like a cataract removal.

[Thinkin' Gal]

The Tribune de Geneve, which identified the patient it quoted only by his first name Sergio, described the furniture as being piled in the hall with carpets, television sets and DVD players. The newspaper said some patients had been turned away as a result of the reduced space and that nurses were drafted from other parts of the hospital to beef up the staff caring for the king.

House of Saud bump.

[dighton]

“While it happens that sometimes we have colleagues who are invited, surgery is always supervised by a HUG doctor,” Bretton said. The hospital refers to itself as HUG.

No hugs no drugs no service.

[mhking]

Hey - my last name is King...think I could go over there and...Naaaaaaa.

[Tacis]

No, they just don't any Jewish surgeons in Saudi.

[APBaer]

"Shows how backward Saudi Arabia really is. This dude is a king and he's got to go out of the country for a simple operation like a cataract removal."

Could be he's afraid if he goes under for the operation on his eyes, the next thing he sees will be Allah.

[dighton]

Shows how backward Saudi Arabia really is. This dude is a king and he's got to go out of the country for a simple operation like a cataract removal.

He won't touch either of the two hospitals named after him -- what to mention the King Khalid Specialist Eye Hospital.

[phasma proeliator]

Doesn't the King usually go to the U.S. for (major) medical treatment?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Let the Swiss put up with them.

[APBaer]

The Saudi Royals often have lousy hearts, and go to the Cleveland Clinic.

[caa26]

I work with a doctor who was flown to Geneva for this. Now I know who he was talking about earlier this week when he said he was going to Geneva to consult on some king's operation.

[phasma proeliator]

Thanks..

[Thinkin' Gal]

>>>The King will start his talks with French President Jacques Chirac in Paris before heading for Geneva where he will discuss with Saudi King Fahd Ben Abdul Aziz and UAE President Sheikh Zayed Ben Sultan Al Nahayan Arab and international efforts to put an immediate end to the tragic situation in Palestine. The two Arab leaders are currently on a visit to Switzerland.<<<

King Abdullah leaves for France today to discuss peace process

Party on the 9th floor?

[Thinkin' Gal]

Could be he's afraid if he goes under for the operation on his eyes, the next thing he sees will be Allah.

Good one!

[willgetsome]

I wonder who the American surgeon is? I hope he is Jewish, has a son in the military, or knows somebody in NYFD....permanent blindness isn't all that bad, your excellency...LOL

[nothingnew]

"Yo people...My money talks, and the rest of you walks!"...I gotta go barf now.

FMCDH

[Thinkin' Gal]

Ouch, there won't be anything left on that dude.

[AdA$tra]

With the Saudi royals dropping like flies this week, it might be prudent to wait. Probably just a coincidence though. [AdA$tra removes his tinfoil hat]