Medical syndicate to sue those behind report of ‘phone left in patient’s body’

AMMAN — The Jordan Medical Association (JMA) on Sunday said it will file a lawsuit against all parties responsible for news reports that a doctor had left a mobile phone in a patient’s body after performing a Caesarean section.

News reports on Saturday claimed that a doctor in one of Amman’s public hospitals left a mobile in the patient’s body, and she had to undergo another surgery in Al Bashir Hospital 13 days later to remove the phone.

Basem Kiswani, a JMA council member, said the association decided to file a lawsuit against all those involved in the issue, including media outlets that published the “false” news without verifying its credibility.

“We tasked our legal adviser with starting legal procedures,” Kiswani told The Jordan Times, adding that the JMA’s investigation committee reviewed all X-rays provided by the patient and concluded that the reports are untrue.

“This news is false, and we would not hide such a case if it were true,” Al Bashir Hospital Director Ahmad Qteitat said.

He added that if doctors were to forget something, it would be material such as medical sponges used to soak up blood, which causes inflammation after a few days and endangers the patient’s life.

“How come a mobile was in the patient’s body for 13 days?” Qteitat asked, explaining that the patient was admitted and treated for an infection that occurred just in the area of the skin where the surgical incision was made.

Kiswani, who is also a media adviser for Health Minister Ali Hiasat, said the ministry will also file a lawsuit against those involved in the issue who are harming the reputation of physicians in Jordan.

Health Ministry Spokesperson Hatem Azruie said no decision had been made yet to take legal action in this regard.