MP Proposes Legal Protections for Medical Professionals

TDT | Manama

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MP Jalal Kazim has submitted two proposed amendments to existing Bahraini laws, seeking enhanced legal protections for medical professionals during their work. The first proposal targets doctors, while the second extends similar protections to allied medical professionals.

Kazim's first proposal would amend Article 30 of Decree-Law No. 7 of 1989, concerning the practice of human medicine and dentistry. The amendment would add a new clause stating that criminal investigations against doctors for offenses committed during or related to their work can only be initiated by the Public Prosecution, after notifying the Ministry of Health and with the presence of a designated ministry representative.

The explanatory memorandum accompanying the proposal highlights the aim of providing doctors with legal protection against arbitrary legal actions. The presence of a ministry representative during investigations is intended to ensure fairness and prevent potentially frivolous lawsuits. The proposal draws parallels to similar legal protections afforded to journalists in other jurisdictions and cites comparable legislation in Iraq and Jordan as examples.

Kazim's second proposal seeks to amend Decree-Law No. 2 of 1987, adding a similar clause to Article 25. This amendment would extend the same legal protections – requiring Public Prosecution initiation, prior ministry notification, and the presence of a ministry representative – to allied medical professionals during investigations into offenses committed during or related to their work.

Both proposals aim to create a more secure environment for medical professionals, allowing them to provide optimal care without fear of unwarranted legal repercussions. The proposals will now undergo the parliamentary process for review and debate.