The 8th National Dialogue held under the title “Health Services: Dialogue Between Society and Health Institutions,” is being organized by the King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue (KACND) and focuses on health issues in the Kingdom.

Deputy Minister of Education Faisal bin Muammar, who is also secretary-general of the KACND, opened the dialogue in the southern city of Najran with 70 delegates from across the Kingdom on Thursday.

The participants on Friday suggested that every health institution must have a department to guarantee patients’ rights when medical errors occur and to inform patients about those rights, the Saudi Press Agency said. They called for the establishment of special courts to deal with medical error cases and take action against errant doctors.

The panel moderated by KACND Deputy Chairman Rashid Al-Rajih stressed the need to enforce work ethics in the medical sector.

The participants also discussed the definition of the word “medical negligence” in the medical and legal sense. They said that statistics concerning medical errors should be kept and emphasized the need for experts to make quick decisions on medical issues. They also called for the implementation of regulations. The discussion focused on factors that lead to medical errors such as the absence of work ethics and administrative mistakes.

The role of the media in reporting facts about incidents of medical errors also figured in the discussions with the participants emphasizing the need for reporting such incidents objectively  without exaggeration.

The speakers in the first session on Thursday suggested the formation of committees to determine the level of health service in each province and monitor the activities of health institutions.

The KACND seeks to create a new environment for dialogue among various sections of society with the aim of promoting public interest and consolidating national unity based on Islam and constructive dialogue. It also serves as a venue for discussing vital national issues, allowing citizens to express their views and present their constructive proposals. The center documents opinions and suggestions made in its meetings and forward them to decision makers.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosque King Abdullah (who was then the crown prince) founded the center on Aug. 3, 2003.