Rawan's Law

When Rawan's doctor talked about her surgery, many felt it was no longer a matter of saving a child but rather a breach of patient confidentiality. The question here is: Does a doctor have the right to disclose the details of his patient's treatment, especially a child, even if her family agrees?

Rawan, a 9-year-old girl, endured what adults cannot bear. Her excess weight stole her childhood, depriving her of playing, running, and even walking to school like other children. She used a tuk-tuk instead of her feet. Her family tried everything: diet, exercise, sessions, and visited many hospitals... but to no avail.

Finally, they were forced to agree to the surgery as a last solution. A child suffering and a doctor trying to save her. But what happened next is what hurt us: the publication of details, photos, and videos about Rawan's case, and the transformation of her suffering into a topic for propaganda.

The doctor's oath is clear: "I will protect the patient's confidentiality as I protect his life." Confidentiality is not an option, nor is it the property of parents to be relinquished whenever they wish. Confidentiality is the foundation of trust between society and the doctor. If this trust is undermined, the meaning of the medical profession collapses with it.

It's important to raise awareness of the dangers of childhood obesity, but this can be done in other ways: studies, campaigns, stories without names or photos. However, for a little girl like Rawan to appear in the media is a violation of her privacy and childhood.

The issue is not a successful treatment or surgery, but privacy. Saving the body must be accompanied by protecting the soul from defamation. Childhood requires not only medical treatment, but also respect and preservation of innocence.

Here comes the most important role: the Doctors' Syndicate must establish clear rules that prevent any doctor from revealing their patient's secrets for any reason. A law exists to protect the privacy of every patient, young or old, from being turned into a publicity stunt... as happened with the doctor who danced with a newborn after delivering the mother through a difficult cesarean section and posted the photos and videos on social media.

Rowan's story is an alarm bell to protect patient confidentiality and take deterrent action against any doctor who violates this confidentiality for any reason.

The law is not enough. There are clear provisions prohibiting the disclosure of patient confidentiality, but implementation in the field remains weak and does not effectively guarantee the protection of patient privacy from violation. This law must be accompanied by strict enforcement, effective oversight, and an aware society that recognizes that the privacy of a child like Rawan is no less important than their healthy life.