Docs, journos in boxing ring over ‘medical error cartoon’

Manama : A caricature describing the issue of medical errors published by a local daily last week has sparked a controversy with the medical community terming it an insult while the journalists maintaining that it was just a reflection of reality. The work of art showed a doctor holding an axe and ready to behead a patient. The term “medical errors” was written on the blade, in a clear reference to the increasing deaths caused by medical errors in recent years.

Several official and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) rejected the cartoon and issued statements claiming that “doctors in Bahrain are unjustly targeted by the local press”.  First to comment on the matter was Bahrain Medical Society (BMS), which said in a press statement, “The society condemns the insistence of some local publications on exaggerating the issue of medical errors and using immoral labels to describe Bahraini doctors, in a manner that doesn’t suit the humanitarian profession of medicine.”

The society claimed that “such negative behaviours harm Bahrain’s doctors working in tough conditions and sparing no efforts to serve patients”. The society also said the cartoon would also reduce the confidence of patients in doctors. BMS President Dr Ghada Al Qassim said, “The society recognises the existence of medical errors in the Kingdom as it exists in all countries of the world, including countries that provide health services of highest levels and advanced treatment services. The latest investigations of the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) showed that only two medical errors occurred in the first five months of the year.”

On their part, Health Ministry, the Supreme Council of Health (SCE) and NHRA said in a joint statement released on Sunday that they’re “dissatisfied with the insult health professionals are exposed to by the various media platforms” and stressed that they support all the medical staff working under their umbrella.