It said in a circular, of which Arab News has received a copy, that it was the Ministry of Health that issued rulings on medical malpractice cases. “The ministry liaises with the Medical Shariah Commission (MSC) with regard to malpractice cases, keeps the related files and records, and completes procedures that prevents doctors involved from traveling abroad,” the circular said.

The circular explained that the MSC is headed by a judge well versed in Islamic teachings (Shariah) and comprises a number of specialists and consultants from various organizations including universities, the National Guard’s medical services and the Ministry of Defense and Aviation. 

The committee investigates the case and the judge issues the verdict, the circular said, adding that the ministry has no hand whatsoever in issuing verdicts.

According to press reports, Jeddah has the most number of medical malpractice cases, 287 in total, followed by Riyadh with 280.

The reports also claim that there are 1,356 cases of malpractice and that 129 people died from medical mistakes in 2009.

The records claim at least 26,000 cases of medical malpractice were registered over six years, on average 4,335 cases a year and 12 a day.