Basra: The administration of Umm Qasr General Hospital in Basra clarifies the situation regarding the circulated image showing two stray dogs on the hospital grounds. The administration of Umm Qasr Hospital in western Basra clarified the facts surrounding a photo recently circulated on some social media platforms and in the media, showing two stray dogs on the hospital grounds.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Basra Health Department’s media office stated in a press release on Tuesday that, regarding the location of the photo, a careful examination shows the two dogs in the outer courtyards in front of the main gate of the administrative building. The statement clarified that the entrance shown in the photo has two consecutive doors; the outer door is open, while the main inner door is completely closed, as the photo was taken outside of official working hours.
The statement emphasized to the public that all medical services provided to patients are conducted within the specialized departments (consultations, emergency, and wards), which are fully secured and controlled. The presence of any stray animals outside cannot affect the medical workflow or patient safety. The statement added that the hospital administration has previously contacted the relevant authorities officially to address the issue of stray dogs in the hospital’s perimeter, using legally and environmentally sound methods and mechanisms, and is continuing to follow up to expedite a resolution to this matter.
The hospital administration issued a statement urging “all media outlets and content creators to exercise accuracy and objectivity when reporting news, and to publish facts as they are without exaggeration.” The statement clarified that “some publications claimed the two dogs were inside the building, contrary to what the clear image shows, which depicts them in the outer courtyards in front of a closed door.”
The hospital administration reiterated its commitment to providing the best medical services to citizens and ensuring a healthy and safe environment for all.