Jordan PM: govt bears responsibility on Salt deaths

Jordan's Prime Minister Bisher al-Khasawneh said on Saturday the government bears responsibility after at least seven patients died in a hospital COVID-19 ward died due to a shortage of oxygen supplies.

Al-Khasawneh said the loss of life in Salt, 20 kilometres away from the capital Amman, due to negligence was "unjustified and unaccepted".

Khasawneh also noted that Jordan's King Abdullah II, who visited the hospital on Saturday, was angered by the deaths of "some of our beloved and dear people".

Al-Khasawneh said the government has accepted the resignation of the Health Minister, Nathir Obeidat, and the director of the hospital in Salt, Abdul Razzaq Al-Khashman, following requests from King Abdullah.

Al-Khasawneh also ordered the Ministry of Health, and all other health institutions to declare a state of emergency to ensure that the correct protocols are in place to protect the livelihood of all patients.