‘Medical Errors by Doctors Will Not be Tolerated’

ABU DHABI - There will be no tolerance towards doctors found committing mistakes,

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By Adel Arafah

Published: Sun 22 Mar 2009, 1:24 AM

Last updated: Wed 10 Jul 2024, 12:34 PM

Health Minister Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Quttami has said.

Speaking with Khaleej Times recently, he said the erring doctors are usually subjected to investigation and then referred to a competent court which issues a sentence of deportation if the doctor involved is an expatriate.

‘’Health authorities in the GCC are also alerted so as not to recruit them again,’’ he said. Recently, UAE national Mitha Al Balouchi, 24, had half of her skull cut by mistake during a brainsurgery.

She was flown to Germany for treatment at the expense of thegovernment after she sufferedhemiplegia (paralysis of one side of the body), speech and mobility disorders, and poor sightdue to a medicalmistake which alsoplunged her into a coma.

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In anothercase Dr Reem Abdul Fattah won a compensation of Dh3 million from a court.

Shewas paralysed after delivering twins. A Health Ministry investigation found negligence on the part of the doctors and administrators of the hospital concerned.

Commenting on these, Al Quttami said committees were formed to follow up and check reports on surgeries conducted in different public and
private hospitals.

The committees were also tasked with taking measures to prevent such errors.

“The rate of medical errors in hospitals in the country does not exceed 1.5 per cent, but the costs of treating affected patients is seven times those of
normal treatment.”
adel@khaleejtimes.com

Adel Arafah

Published: Sun 22 Mar 2009, 1:24 AM

Last updated: Wed 10 Jul 2024, 12:34 PM

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