Doctors in Bahrain could soon be able to over-rule parents who refuse treatment which could improve their children's quality of life. They would be given extra powers of intervention under an amendment to the Child Rights Law.

The amendment, which is now being discussed in parliament, will also make all vaccinations and check-ups for hereditary diseases compulsory, said Bahrain Medical Society chairman Dr Ahmed Jamal.

'We have been pressing for such a law for a very long time and we hope this will be passed very soon,' he said.

'There are many instances where parents actually refuse to get their children treated and decline surgeries because of family or social pressures,' he said.

Jamal said, however, in emergency situations the children would be treated, surgeries performed and all necessary action would be taken even without the patient's consent, provided two consultants signed a consent form.

He said that the 'two consultants' rule applied to the emergency treatment of anyone, children and adults, but the amendment was being carried out in the Child Rights Law since children were incapable of taking such decisions on their own.

'An emergency is an emergency and has to be dealt with because saving a life is very important,' he said.

'However, the problem arises in cases where treatment will actually make the child better and improve quality of life.

'In some cases, we have come across parents who would refuse to get a child's bad leg fixed or be administered a vaccine and other medication, because they claim they are bound by certain social factors.'

'We need to put an end to such practices. We are only trying to ensure a child gets his right.'

Dr Jamal said the amendment had been in the pipeline for a long time, which was now being spearheaded by the Social Development Ministry in collaboration with the Health Ministry.

'We have had discussions with the authorities on this issue on many occasions,' said Dr Jamal. 'The stipulation that the Health Ministry can go to court, obtain an order and treat the child. We will support the ministry on this amendment,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service