More than five years after the tragic death of several infants at the Rabta hospital, justice has decided. The Tunis Court of Appeal confirmed prison terms against three hospital executives, recognized as guilty of negligence having led to the death of fourteen newborns in March 2019.
The verdict concerns the director of the maternity and neonatology center of the Wassila Bourguiba hospital, the head of the pharmacy service and the maintenance director. All three were sentenced to cumulative sentences equivalent to ten years’ imprisonment. The Court retained their responsibility in each of the cases linked to this drama, ruling on fourteen separate files, without making a grouping of sentences.
These proceedings, committed to manslaughter, have highlighted serious dysfunctions within the establishment, particularly in terms of equipment management and monitoring of health protocols.
In addition to prison terms, justice has ordered financial repairs. Each family who has lost a child in these circumstances will receive compensation of 30,000 dinars. A late, but expected judicial recognition for those close to the victims, who had claimed truth and responsibility.
