Concern at Medical Blunders

Medical errors are so widespread in Syria that they are being blamed for hundreds of deaths, the pro-government website Syria News reported on July 21.



A report by the health ministry last year estimated that at least one person a day dies in hospital because of inadequate treatment. Misdiagnosis, inexperienced staff, faulty tests and general neglect caused many of the deaths, according to the report.



The problem appears to be a nationwide one.



In the past two months, three patients have gone blind after undergoing relatively simple eye surgery at a private hospital in Aleppo, Syria News reported on July 19. The doctor in charge has insisted that the problems could have occurred anywhere.



Several observers, including legal experts, say the incidence of medical error in Syria far exceeds that in western countries. As Syra News noted, it is rare for doctors to face malpractice lawsuits. They can avoid prosecution under legal provisions that allow for reasonable error.



A doctors’ association in the city of Edleb has set up a commission to find out to determine why there has been a surge in cases of medical error.