The First Medical Council in The World
October 07,2010
Prophet Muhammad SAW once asked 2 doctors belonging to Banu Anmar clan, as to who was the better of the two. (Abu Daud 4586). From this episode is inferred that a form of medical council is imperative.
In the 4th century Hijrah, during the reign of Abbasiyad Caliphs, in the period of Caliph Mutawakkil, it was reported that a patient had died due to the carelessness of a doctor. The Caliph immediately formed a medical council; and appointed Dr.Abu Sayyid Sinan bin Thabit, as the head of the council. This was the first medical council in world history.
This head of the council conducted interviews with all doctors of that time; and certified only 68 of them, as qualified to practise as doctors.
The doctors were instructed to write down the treatment given to patients in a book. Then the council periodically would study the book, to analyse the treatment given to patients by the doctors. If it was found that a patient had died due to mismanagement by a doctor, the doctor was punished. (Thariaqul Islam 3-387) (Qawayithuwwa Aathaabun fi musawwathithi fi bithuraathil Islami)
Thanks to ‘Manaarul Huda’ – a Tamil monthly magazine from Chennai , India , July 2010 issue.
It is also to be noted that it was during the reign of the 2nd Caliph of Islam (1st century Hijrah) – Sayyidina Umar ibn Khattab – many aspects of present day democracy was introduced:
- Survey of land was first carried out in world history.
- Pension scheme was first introduced in world history. He started a scheme of pension for elders; and widows and children of martyrs killed in battle
- A soldier could be in the battlefield for not more than 4 months
- Free general hospitals & free schools were established
Thanks to Perak Islamic Information Centre for forwarding this article.