Yousuf Al-Muhaimeed

Al-Jazira

 

LAST December, local newspapers published the story of 3-year-old girl Solaf who went to the maternity and children hospital in Najran to extricate a ring she had swallowed but never returned to her family alive. The girl was transferred to King Khaled Hospital for the minor operation. The doctors there said the ring was stuck in the middle of her pharynx and could be extricated using a gastroscope in 10 minutes only.



The operation lasted more than 45 minutes because the gastroscope made a hole in the esophagus. The girl’s health condition worsened. She was taken to the intensive care unit where she died.



Solaf went to the hospital walking on her feet but came out a dead body on a stretcher that ended up in a morgue.



There are many similar cases resulting from medical mistakes. Many people have lost their lives because of these errors even though they entered the operation room to undergo minor surgical operations.



The latest of the victims of medical mistakes was Saudi journalist Mohammed Al-Thibaiti, who died after a minor operation at Dammam Central Hospital.



There are many incidents and medical mistakes that reveal numerous cases of negligence and corruption surrounding the Ministry of Health, which is responsible for health of the citizens.



The most worrying aspect of the medical mistakes is that their investigations never yield clear-cut results. They leave many files open or at best the files will be kept in the drawers without any decision on them. The results are never announced and that extends to the punishments or penalties.



Though many ministers had taken over the portfolio of this ministry, none of them were able to formulate crystal-clear rules and regulations to put an end to the medical mistakes in the Kingdom’s government or private hospitals.



Can the new minister Khaled Al-Faleh put a seal on this deteriorating situation? Can he manage all the open files in the ministry? Can he decide on medical insurance for the citizens?



Can the minister contain the spread of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus and other epidemics? Will he keep the “self-management” system in the ministry or will he change it?



There are many big questions concerning the Health Ministry, which is the single most important ministry for the citizens.



Those who have known Al-Faleh in Saudi Aramco or have worked with him in the giant oil company will definitely realize that he is a perseverant man who is dedicated and thorough. He is always aiming for success and going for it.



This man is now coming to the government sector that is replete with bureaucracy and red tape. This sector is completely different from Aramco, which is famous for its good-governance, flexibility and discipline.



Will he be able to put his stamp on the ministry and take the public health sector into the realm of accuracy, discipline and quality as was the case with Aramco? These are questions for which we may find some answers when we look deep into the circumstances that accompanied his appointment.



The two deputy health ministers Dr. Al-Hawwasi and Dr. Al-Khishaim were sacked before Al-Faleh had put his feet in the ministry. He himself has been appointed chairman of Aramco’s board of directors.



These are important signs in giving him all the tools for success in his difficult mission. He can now freely choose his own deputies and can get support from Aramco whether at the level of human cadres or funds.



The freedom given to him to choose his deputies and the support he can get from Aramco will provide him with all the tools for success. If Al-Faleh succeeds in the health sector, he will be making a great national achievement.