Doctors Go on Strike in Support of Detained Colleague
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
The Doctors Syndicate held a strike on Monday in protest against the pre-trial detention of Doctor Moussa Abou Hamad, who was allegedly responsible for the death of a pregnant woman.
“The doctors are not criminals and no one should be treated on this basis,” Mustaqbal bloc MP Dr. Atef Majdalani said during a sit-in held at the headquarters of the syndicate.
He stressed that all doctors are “under the law,” asking authorities to treat them objectively.
For his part, Doctors' syndicate Chief Sharaf Abou Sharaf pointed out that “the syndicate is the only side authorized to investigate any medical act.”
He stressed that the doctors are “holding onto the Lebanese law even if its decision was unfair.”
On May 13, Rita Jebrail Zoughaib, who was 8-months pregnant, died 36 hours of being submitted to Sayyedat Lebnan hospital in Jounieh due to severe nausea.
The woman’s family held the doctor responsible for the death of Rita and her unborn child.
“The immunity of the doctor should be protected by the law,” Abou Sharaf said.
He criticized the judge who issued the verdict against Abou Hamad, demanding the authorities to hold him responsible for violating the law.
Chief of Editors Syndicate Elias Aoun withdrew from the sit-in after he was prevented from continuing his statement for defending the media.
“The media reports what it sees,” Aoun said.
A delegation later headed to the Justice Palace in Beirut to protest to Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi the detention of their colleague.
18 June 2012, 09:31
26
Bad that the lady and her child died, but not good that they detained the doctor, the doctor should be suspended pending an investigation - not arrested.
Arrest should only be issued if it is likely the doctor will run away or if the investigation found him criminally negligent.
18 June 2012, 11:02
12
with all the errors made by doctors and hospitals in lebanon and never one doctor has been prosecuted so far, it is good to see a judge really pushing on this subject.
everybody should be accountable.
a doctor is a flight risk, as he has enough means to do so, thus a preventive arrest is logical.
18 June 2012, 13:18
23
Well you don't punish this doctor for the other ones. Setting a high bail in case he is a flight risk. Putting him in jail will not bring the lady back. Maybe he is not guilty at all, why destroy his reputation before an investigation.
18 June 2012, 18:11
11
if there was not enough evidence against this doctor, would you really think a judge would try to make a move on him?
let us not be naive and play the hand of the doctors in lebanon.
accountability is important for doctors so they do what they should be doing, and compared to the west, I can tell you that insurance rates for malpractice of doctors are the highest in percentage.
why are things different in lebanon?
are our doctors are beyond mistakes?
the problem is their mistakes cause death.
18 June 2012, 20:29
00
Because for too long doctors in Lebanon have been getting away with murder, literally. It is time to hold them to the same accountability that all other doctors in the West are held to. Don't know if this particular Dr. is guilty or not, unfortunately for him his will be the case that will hopefully commence Dr. accountability in Lebanon.
18 June 2012, 13:15
01
it is about time starting to hold these doctors with licenses to steal accountable. These guys don't answer to anyone in Lebanon. They kill the patients and not even one Dr. in Lebanon was held accountable. I would say good for the judge.
18 June 2012, 13:29
01
Do not assume that he was arrest without a reason and for the hell of it. Authority may well have evidences to the doctor misjudgment that led to the death.
18 June 2012, 14:18
20
How come did they not go on strike in support of Dr. Geagea for killing hundreds of thousands and bringing nothing but disasters and misery to the Lebanese and specifically to the Christians especially that he trampolined into the arms of the Syrians at the height of the occupation? This is not fair, docs.
18 June 2012, 14:33
01
A doctor's negligence is usually punished by suspending or even canceling his licence and by imposing on him a monetary compensation for the family of the victim.
In the absence of evidence that he intentionally wanted to harm this lady this doctor should be detained.
18 June 2012, 14:57
00
Who said there is no evidence .. The lady died because he did nt come to see her.. What a negligence.. This is the first time in the history of Lebanon that the DR. is being questioned.. Why not?? no one is above the law and justice, if he is not falty he will be released .. but let it be a lesson for some of the dR.. who are being so much protected and they are asking for more rotection to cover their mistakes? if not the law who will protect us patients??
18 June 2012, 15:12
00
the dr s are so much protected in lebanon.. This is the first time that we see a dorctor punished.the lady died because he did not come to see her I sit fair?Who will defend the poor patients ... there should be justice somewhere!!
18 June 2012, 15:39
00
In this country, Media should do its job by not taking any side. They mentioned the name of the doctor from day 1 without even knowing what happened and what was the original cause. I feel sorry for this country, and I am ashamed of being Lebanese, because sadly speaking this country and these people blame each other without having the knowledge. I wish someday, we will be able to live in a fair country and have a propper country that protects everyone. The medical report showed the main reason of their death. Usually people intend to take a side when there's emotion envolved, but nothing you can do by destroying a good man's life. Everyday I am more conviced that there is no coming back to this country.
18 June 2012, 15:40
00
In this country, Media should do its job by not taking any side. They mentioned the name of the doctor from day 1 without even knowing what happened and what was the original cause. I feel sorry for this country, and I am ashamed of being Lebanese, because sadly speaking this country and these people blame each other without having the knowledge. I wish someday, we will be able to live in a fair country and have a propper country that protects everyone. The medical report showed the main reason of their death. Usually people intend to take a side when there's emotion envolved, but nothing you can do by destroying a good man's life. Everyday I am more conviced that there is no coming back to this country.
18 June 2012, 15:54
00
On the contrary , I am an expact too! I will come if i see that justice is taking its cource.. enough covering for DR. Mistakes It a woman who died.. This is the first time that we see someone reacting.. Evry day we hear of Dr. s mistakes and no one reacts!!Enough Mafia for the DR. .. Patients life are in your hands.. I am not saying all the doctos but some of them
I will return to my country when I see there is democracy and juctice in this country!
18 June 2012, 16:38
00
Arrest might not be the best way to handle this situation but doctors should be held accountable. My mother got severely harmed by a doctors misjudgement and we have no idea who to go to?!
18 June 2012, 16:39
00
Apparently the woman was in distress and the doctor didn't feel like coming to the hospital to determine what the exact situation was. She died a couple of hours later.
The hospital administration, the attending nurses and the physician himself bear various degrees of responsibility and should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
While we have excellent doctors in Lebanon, we also have many who are routinely negligent and are protected by their syndicate.
19 June 2012, 15:15
00
to all who are saying a doctor must not be arrested i say big no no here in the united states it will the same like this judge did in lebanon the same thing they arrest the docotor for a week or so and then bail him out normally high amounts varies from 500.000 $ to a million $ waiting for investigation and trial for a jury verdict meantime his lisence is suspended
19 June 2012, 15:18
00
he was released with a 50 million LBP bail... due to a presumed error.
Fanatic Fatah Al Islam members who fought the army and killed and destroyed are released with a 500.000 LBP bail (ironically paid by our generous prime minister)
