Prof. Mayer Brezis, a leading advocate for patient safety, has highlighted how cultural barriers within medical institutions often prevent the correction of medical errors. After his grandson Amit died due to a missed heart defect, Brezis became determined to prevent similar tragedies by promoting transparency and responsibility in healthcare. He argues that fear of legal consequences and institutional defensiveness lead to a 'deny and defend' culture, where mistakes are concealed rather than addressed, allowing errors to recur.

Brezis's efforts contributed to the mandatory adoption of pulse oximetry screening for newborns in Israel, a measure that could have saved his grandson and is expected to prevent many deaths. He emphasizes that true improvement requires linking failure to repair, fostering an environment where healthcare workers can acknowledge and learn from mistakes without fear of retaliation. Brezis remains hopeful that with persistent effort, medical culture can shift toward greater accountability and patient safety.