Bahrain’s health watchdog has investigated 76 complaints related to medical malpractice since the start of the year.

However, National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) complaints chief and professional regulations acting chief Dr Leena Al Qasem has refused to disclose details of the cases, citing confidentiality laws, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

She told the GDN that the complaints were related to medical misconduct, ranging from patient deaths to adverse reactions.

“For instance, a case we are currently investigating is where the patient had a reaction after a procedure,” she said.

“We have to look into the details to see if it was a normal complication or not.

“We also have cases of patient deaths, but that doesn't always mean misconduct.

“Some are normal because of the condition of the patient.”

She was speaking yesterday at the Second Arab Gulf Forum for Medical Administration, which is being held by the Bahrain Medical Society at the InterContinental Regency Bahrain under the patronage of Minister of State for Defence Affairs and Supreme Council for Health chairman Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.

Dr Al Qasem conducted one of the sessions, called 'Medical Errors: When should complaints be a concern', at the three-day forum, which was attended by international and regional health experts.

She said the NHRA received 76 complaints in the last nine months compared with 86 in the whole of last year and 41 in 2012.

She also explained that releasing details of a case would allow public opinion to influence an investigation, and could affect both the patient and medic involved.

“We have to maintain confidentially through the law,” she said.

“We cannot give details of the case because the person who lodged the complaint would know it was him and it would put us in an adverse legal position.

“If the people who lodged the complaint want to go forward to the Press themselves, they can, but we cannot give details.

“We have had cases in the past where the details were published, and the doctor as a result was treated unfairly because he hadn't even gone in front of the hearing committee.

“When he did, he was cleared of any misconduct, but many people still considered him guilty.”

The NHRA receives all complaints related to medical misconduct in Bahrain, excluding criminal cases that are referred to the Public Prosecution and hospital administrative issues that are dealt with internally.

“If there is misconduct and there is a potential for disciplinary action, [the complaint] is referred to the chief executive,” said Dr Al Qasem.

“That's when a hearing is held, however, you are still innocent until proven guilty.

“We have had cases where an error has been made, but it's not the doctor's fault - it's a system error.

“For instance, that could be unavailability of equipment or a doctor being put in a position they are not qualified for.”

Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) medical services chief Dr Jassim Al Mehza said the hospital received 60 complaints within eight months.

“Up until August this year, we've received about 60 complaints in SMC,” he said.

“However, that isn't just malpractice - it can range from people complaining about a doctor not arriving on time or wanting a female physician instead of a male one, to malpractice and other errors.” - TradeArabia News Service