By Dr. Khalid Al-Saleh
I recently visited a patient, may Allah cure him, in a government hospital. A nurse entered the room and provided my ailing friend with instructions in English. He nodded, clearly not comprehending much of what was being said. After the nurse left, I inquired if he had understood the nurse’s instructions. He smiled shyly, and it struck me that a language other than our own had been imposed on us. People had become proud of a language other than their own. Mothers in the Arab Peninsula are delighted when their children speak English, even if they do not know the language of the Holy Quran.
My friend, who did not properly understand the instructions, appeared confused. So, who would be held criminally and ethically responsible if the patient suffered harm due to a lack of understanding of the health instructions?
This is a question that requires a precise legal answer, but in my view, the responsibility rests with the leadership of the health ministry. They have failed to implement an earlier decision requiring non-Arab doctors and nurses to complete a course in the Arabic language to communicate with patients. This is not just a legal matter; it is an ethical, humanitarian and medical duty. The burden lies with the health ministry and the health committee at the National Assembly.
Each life lost due to a failure to understand instructions, or due to the psychological distress our patients experience as a result of their confusion and inability to comprehend what they are told, is a heavy responsibility. Those in positions of authority must bear the consequences before Allah. The patient is already weak due to illness, and they are entrusted to the care of officials who should understand and communicate effectively with them. This need is greater than the need for spacious rooms, despite their significance.
I once sat in a clinic where a foreign doctor, who did not speak a word of Arabic, was working. A Kuwaiti patient complained to him about heartburn, and the doctor prescribed a medication. When the patient left, I followed her and asked for the prescription. To my surprise, I discovered that the doctor had prescribed a medication for contractions, which had no relation to her complaint. I brought this to the attention of my colleague, and he corrected the prescription. It was clear that this doctor represented an authority that did not prioritize the welfare of patients, so why should he?
I wonder how many patients in our hospitals are misunderstood, or how many fail to find doctors who can communicate with them and understand their complaints, even with limited language skills. I hope for decisions that mandate every doctor and nurse to complete a course in our language before interacting with patients.
Our patients are appealing to you!
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