Hundreds of protesters continued to camp at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) yesterday saying they will not leave until all their demands were met.

The demonstrators, including a large number of women, said they want talks to guarantee them more rights.

'We will camp here for as long as it is necessary but we are determined we will not leave very easily,' said one of the protesters.

'We are also demanding from the government they come clean on the number of people killed in the violent crackdown at Pearl Roundabout on Thursday and give us a clear picture on the number of casualties.'

The protester, a senior official at a construction company, said they also feared the injured being treated at the hospital could be taken away by the security forces if they lifted the siege, which started on Thursday.

'We are already trying to determine where around 70 people who are missing are,' he said.

'We are also trying to compile their names in consultation with the families.'

He insisted the demonstrators would remain peaceful.

Meanwhile, volunteers continued to serve up snacks, drinks and food for the gathering.

Several kiosks, offering bread, cheese, cakes and juice, besides biryani and other cooked food, have sprung up all over the hospital.

Volunteers in cars and pick-ups also regularly arrived at the scene with food and water to replenish stocks.

Many volunteers also set up tents in the parking lot to stay overnight while others had put down bedding in the walkway surrounding the parking lot.

'We are here for the long haul,' said one volunteer.

'We will make sure our demands are met before we leave.'

Support for health staff

The Bahrain Medical Society (BMS) and the Bahrain Dental Society (BDS) yesterday came out in support of health workers' demands for Health Minister Dr Faisal Al Hamer to resign.

Both organisations allege he repeatedly misled people on the number of casualties.

A joint statement also condemned the use of force to disperse peaceful demonstrations.

It claimed the minister had insisted only seven minor injuries had been reported after firing on protesters on Friday, when scores had been treated at Salmaniya Medical Complex.

'The minister's statement did not reflect the events realistically,' said the statement.

'In reality, the number of people injured was more than a hundred individuals.

'Among the injuries were seven major ones that included one patient with a fatal trauma to the brain and skull and another sustained a severe trauma to the chest.

'Injuries were noted to be due to the use projectiles that included both bird shot rounds and metallic bullets, as well as blunt trauma from riot sticks, unlike what the minister mentioned in his statement.'

The statement also condemned attacks against health workers after paramedics were allegedly harassed, threatened and obstructed from fulfilling their duties. 'We strongly condemn the savage beating and the verbal and physical harassment by the security forces, of our colleague Dr Sadiq Al Ekri in the early hours of Thursday.'

The society also called on all its members to continue to encourage doctors and all health workers to volunteer to help their community and the injured in accordance with international norms.

Meanwhile, around 800 health workers, including doctors, nurses and other staff, yesterday held protests throughout the day, demanding the minister's resignation. Some of the protestors said they had not gone on strike but would continue to protest in batches until their demands were met.-TradeArabia News Service