Medical error deaths see rise

Manama : As many as 63 deaths caused by medical errors were reported in 2016, an increase of 59 per cent (26 cases more) as compared to the previous year.

The data was unveiled at a meeting of parliamentary committee formed specifically to investigate the quality of medical services at public and private medical centres in the Kingdom.

“At its meeting on Thursday, the committee submitted six questions to Health Ministry officials about medical errors, its causes and reports of the Medical Audit Bureau. The committee also inquired about the 37 deaths in 2015, of which 14 occurred at Salmaniya Medical Complex, in addition to the increase of these incidents to 63 cases in 2016 and the solutions developed by the ministry about the incidents that occur during the switch between medical and technical staff after the end of the work,” said Committee member Fatima Al Asfoor.

Al Asfoor also said that committee members discussed with the officials the recommendations of internal audit and follow-up on them, as well as the commitment of the management of Salmaniya Medical Complex to them.

She noted that the members asked the health officials about the ministry’s plan to develop Salmaniya Medical Complex, increasing the number of beds in it and discussed the evaluation of health services provided to citizens and residents.

Headed by Mohammed Al Maarifi, the committee consists of MPs Jalal Kadhim, Mohsin Al Bakri, Osama Al Khaja, Theyab Al Nuaimi and Al Asfoor.

It was formed by the beginning of this year to investigate medical negligence claims and to hold the responsible parties accountable.