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400 medical complaints this year Every day-and-a-half, a new medical centre is launched in Dubai, according to Dr Layla Al Marzouqi, Assistant Director of the Dubai Health Authority’s health regulation department. “Because of the increasing number of medical centres and professionals, the number of medical errors is also higher,” she said. To date in 2014, a total of 400 medical complaints have been registered in the authority. “We have filtered the complaints to 140,” she explained. “Most complaints are about quality of medical services, on financial matters and others,” she added. Currently, 27,000 medical professionals are working in Dubai, including doctors, nurses, radiologists and others. asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com |
All professionals, institutions and equipment in the private medical sector in the country will have to be insured under a newly approved article in the existing Law on Medical Liability.
Speaking to Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the recently held third Arab Conference for Medical Liability, a senior official from the Ministry of Health said the article was approved by the UAE Federal National Council (FNC) last week.
“The law will ensure medical liability protection to professionals against medical malpractice,” said Dr Amin bin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Medical Practices and Pharmaceutical Licences at the ministry. Though some medical professionals are already covered in parts of the country, many others are not part of this safety net.
Officials at the Arab Conference for Medical Liability. — Supplied photo
Medical errors go unreported Health professionals in the UAE are hiding or under-reporting medical errors for fear of deportation, officials at the recently concluded 3rd Arab Conference for Medical Liability said. Citing studies at the conference, officials said that medical malpractice was three times more in Arab countries than in the US alone. “We are conservative about reporting due to the culture,” said Dr Layla Al Marzouqi, Assistant Director of the Dubai Health Authority’s health regulation department. “Medical insurance companies can give a scope of the extent of medical errors but no data is available,” she said. Dr Layla said that though the errors cannot be prevented, they can be reduced. “Over the years, between 2009 and 2014, the number of medical complaints increased due to improved services offered by the DHA and due to heightened awareness.” “Even medical professionals have little knowledge about the Medical Liability Law.” The DHA’s committee for medical malpractices metes out punishments to erring professionals which could range from administrative penalties, ban, blacklisting or withdrawal of operating licences depending on the nature of the offence. |
He said all doctors and medical institutions will have to be insured to receive this protection. However, the law will only be applicable when approved by the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The UAE passed the federal Medical Liability Law in 2008. In 2013, a cabinet law order saw the creation of the Medical Liability Bureau under which all private and public hospitals were required to obtain JCI accreditation without which their operating licences will not be renewed.
Even the most competent professional can make a mistake and should protect himself/herself against that possibility. Even professionals who make no mistakes can be sued. Defending a malpractice lawsuit is often expensive even when the defendant wins.
Besides compulsory insurance, doctors will be asked to reveal the full cost of medical treatment and potential side effects for patients.
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com
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