JEDDAH: Health Minister Abdullah Al-Rabeeah said on Wednesday that his ministry doesn’t distinguish between medical errors occurring in private hospitals with ones committed in public hospitals.
“The Saudi Health Ministry is for quality assurance in all of health sectors,” he said. “Medical mistakes and errors occurring in private or in public hospitals are treated the same.”
The minister’s statement came in light of the shutdown of a Jeddah private hospital few months ago after a medical error left one patient dead.
The minister’s comment came during an honoring ceremony held in Jeddah for medical personnel who worked the recent Haj and in rescue and recovery operations following the Nov. 25 flooding.
“The success in controlling H1N1 and other contagious diseases during this Haj season was due to the high quality of health services provided to the pilgrims,” the minister said.
“This Haj was a challenge to the Ministry of Health, due to the outbreak of H1N1 flu virus, which required the ministry to make early plans for all precautionary measures.”
The Ministry of Health recorded 75 H1N1 infections, including five fatalities, during the Haj.
Approximately 32,000 patients were treated at hospitals and clinics in Makkah during the Haj season.
