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Cracking down on suspect physicians

Today, we will look at a report published in an Arabic newspaper about the physician who prescribed a flu medicine for a child, which was suffering from a nose block caused by an electronic battery. Without a proper check-up, the doctor administered nose drops to the child who started crying soon afterwards probably due to reaction of the nasal liquid with the battery components. The father rushed the boy to another clinic where a comprehensive check-up revealed the electronic battery embedded inside the nose.

The first physician was very negligent when he didn't take the suffering of the child seriously and compounded his error by prescribing nose drops. Who knows, maybe the child may have died due to the reaction of the drops with the battery chemicals.

We do appreciate the efforts of health ministry but at the same time, it is high time that there is a thorough check on the authenticity of the certificates and documents beside the qualifications of the doctors who are working in the state. A continuous inspection should be conducted by the health authorities at medical establishments particularly pharmacies and clinics. Ministry of health should make a survey of all the pharmacies and clinics to check on the degree of their compliance with the regulations and as well review the licences of the pharmacies to be sure that only the qualified cadres are allowed to work at such places and commercially minded persons do not infiltrate sectors which are crucial having a bearing on the health of people.

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