Egyptian doctors top medical-error list

Egyptian doctors top the list of hospital staff committing medical errors, with almost 50 percent of them being held accountable for nearly half of such incidents that occurred in Kingdom.
Out of the 512 erring doctors in the country, 219 were Egyptian, which makes 42.8% of total cases, according to a report from the Ministry of Health.
The report also mentioned that Saudi doctors were placed second with 70 doctors out of the 512, making it 13.7 percent. Syrian doctors (59) were placed third with 11.5 percent, followed by Indian doctors with 41 physicians that translates into 8 percent of the medical errors.
Jeddah tops in medical errors, with gynecology and maternity cases taking the top slot, according to a local media report. Hospitals in the city area recorded 132 out of 512 medical errors reported in the Kingdom, followed by the Eastern Province with 100 cases and Riyadh with 70 patients dying due to malpractices or medical lapses.
The report also said that gynecology and delivery related cases have the dubious privilege of being at the top, while general surgery stood second and internal medicine third.
Even if it results in the death of the patient, conviction rate by competent authorities is small in proportion, the report added. However, legal procedures involved in the investigations are making it harder for expatriate health professionals in the gynecology field to get away with mistakes.
The immediate threat they face is a travel ban until the trial is complete, according to sources. It’s not only the doctors, but the entire team from the lab technician to duty nurses faces the probe, the report explained.
The situation is somehow better for health professionals working in private sector. Erring physicians at public facilities are suspended immediately and salaries are not paid until the inquiry is over.
Any aggrieved patient can fax a complaint to the Ministry of Health regarding substandard services at 0112124196.