ABU DHABI — The UAE government is considering amendments to the federal law on medical liability, Khaleej Times has learnt.

“Some amendments will be introduced to the medical liability law so as to ensure its efficacy to reduce medical mistakes and safeguard the rights of doctors in the event of medical errors,” said Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qutami, Minister of Health.

Al Qutami said his ministry in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Auqaf will introduce changes to some articles of the law.

A meeting is scheduled next week between the Ministry of Health officials and representatives from the Ministry of Justice to discuss and agree to amend some provisions of the law, said Mr Qutami.

The authorities concerned are adopting new measures to avoid medical mistakes that could be fatal sometimes, especially in the wake of the recent surge in complaints from patients against medical malpractices that caused  health complications and sometimes permanent disability.

He underlined that the proposed changes in the law aimed to reduce incidence of medical errors, which he said were common in all countries.

“Medical errors are everywhere in the world.  But our rates of medical mistakes are limited,” he noted.

However, the minister cautioned that the number of medical malpractices were growing. “Incidents pertaining to medical malpractice have started to grow. This has prompted us to reconsider many things and organise them,” he said.