Qatari law has ensured all means of preserving the public health of individuals and society from infectious diseases and epidemics, according to experts participating in a webinar hosted by the Qatar International Center for Conciliation and Arbitration (QICCA), in co-operation with the Qatar University and Qatar Lawyers.
They assured that the recent amendments to the Prevention of Infectious Diseases Law have provided the legal framework for government efforts to contain the spread of the Corona virus.
During the video conference, which carried the theme ‘Patient & Medical crews between the civil & criminal liability and challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, QICCA reviewed the rights and responsibilities of the patient during a contagious disease, and the civil and criminal responsibility of medical crews in the time of epidemics.
Dr. Muna Al-Marzouqi an Assistant Professor of maritime and commercial law at Qatar University’s College of Law was present at the webinar
On his part, QICCA’s Assistant Secretary-General Ibrahim Shahbik said that the major developments in the world’s medical and therapeutic fields over the recent decades have increased the errors in medical work, and have also resulted in a significant increase in the lawsuits for damages resulting from these errors.
Dr. Sonia Malak, professor of civil law in the College of Law at Qatar University, reviewed the protection of public health and the rights of infected with infectious diseases.
She noted that the Qatar legislator has sought to include several measures that preserve the public health from infectious diseases, which will positively affect on the infected or the individuals surrounding the patient.
Dr. Iyad Haroun Al Douri, Assistant Professor of Criminal Law at Qatar University, said that world countries have quickly amended their legislation to keep up with the medical developments and crimes after the Corona pandemic.
Al Douri reviewed the most important legal cases that dealt with the epidemics that hit humanity during the last centuries. He also reviewed the crime of spreading epidemics according to the Qatari law and tightening of penalties for any dangerous act to others and society.