Media urged to be responsible in reporting cases RIYADH – The ministers of Health, Justice and Culture and Information says that a unified and professional government strategy is needed to tackle the vexing question of medical errors taking place at public and private hospitals in the Kingdom. Minister of Health Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeah, Justice Minister Dr. Muhammad Bin Abdulkarim Al-Isa and Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz Khoja all delivered speeches at a major symposium on medical errors in Riyadh Sunday. There was also a focus by other government speakers on the role played by the media in reporting these cases, with a call for more responsible reporting. In his speech Al-Rabeah said that the event will allow everyone to express their views on the matter. “That's why the ministry invited the ministries of Justice and Culture and Information, including the Shoura Council, [human] rights and media groups, to take part in this important symposium” to discuss the issue in a scientific way and to consider international best practice within the context of Islam, he said. Al-Isa said his ministry was participating to clarify the issue from a legal perspective. The discussions, he said, will cover compensation and the mechanism used to issue verdicts. This is in addition to the media's handling of medical error cases. Khoja said his ministry is committed to make sure the media reports on these cases properly. While the ministry wants to provide the media with support and guarantee it reasonable freedom to operate, it is unacceptable to “leave the door open” for the publication of anything that can harm “this country and its people”. The minister said he supports constructive criticism and for the truth to be reported. He hoped that the symposium will produce some recommendations on how the media can better report cases. Deputy Minister of Health for Planning and Development, Dr. Muhammad Khushaim, said there were 670 cases of medical errors in 2009. Last year's decisions, which were issued by 18 Shariah commissions headed by judges, included 51 private legal actions and 130 public ones. Khushaim said the ministry, in its attempts to reduce the rate of medical errors, has created quality committees to examine the qualifications of doctors and other medical workers, in addition to ensuring that these personnel undergo performance assessments. The Ministry of Culture and Information's working paper, presented by Assistant Deputy Minister for Internal Media, Abdulrahman Al-Hazza', focused on the role of the media. “The ministry, through its regulations, is seeking to make sure that medical errors are dealt with in a balanced and professional [manner], to deliver the right information to the public without exaggeration or blame.” Medical errors, he said, is a global problem found even in advanced countries, like the United States and the United Kingdom, where there are thousands of victims. Based on this, he added, the media must realize that a medical error is sometimes not intentional and can be caused by unexpected circumstances. “There's a difference between a clear error like extracting a healthy kidney instead of one with a problem and surgery during which unexpected and unstoppable bleeding occurs.” He said the latter case would require more research and investigation before publishing. He told journalists who attended the event that the ministry does not intend to curtail journalistic freedoms, but at the same time it cannot allow random offenses toward workers of medicine or any other field in the country. He added that journalists must exercise responsibility in covering stories. He supported stories on medical personnel who make repeated mistakes. He said some articles do not lead to reform but only create doubts in the abilities of those working in the field “and that's not justice”.
