The Medical Council is going to consider whether to revise its controversial announcement that has attracted criticism and protest.

The announcement, which took years of preparation, lets doctors reject non-emergency cases.

Many critics viewed the move as retaliation against an increasing number of malpractice lawsuits being faced by doctors. 

"It's clear the Medical Council protects doctors rather than patients," Preeyanant Lorsermwat-thana from the Network of Victims of Medical Malpractice said.

Protesters yesterday laid a mock funeral wreath for the council and carried banners condemning it.

A recent council announcement called "Medical Facts" said that for the "benefit of patients, medical practitioners may refuse to treat patients who are not in need of immediate treatment and not in life-threatening condition but must give proper recommendations or make proper referrals".

Council secretary-general Dr Pinij Kulavanich yesterday explain-ed the announcement was for the benefit of patients as well as doctors.

"Read the announcement carefully and you will understand," he said, adding the council had not protected doctors for unsound reasons.

"But we should provide justice for doctors, too. In some areas, a single doctor has to take care of 100 patients in a very limited time," he said.

However, in response to the growing opposition against the announcement, Pinij said the council would at its next meeting decide whether to revise the announcement. He also said the council might hold a press conference next week in a bid to clear up any misunderstanding.

"We have good intentions," Pinij said.

The Network of Victims of Medical Malpractice was not alone in the battle against the council's controversial announcement.

On Tuesday, Dr Pradit Chareonthaithawee - a member of the National Human Rights Commission - said the announcement violated patients' rights while Saree Ongsomwang, manager of the Consumers Foundation, said the announcement amounted to an administrative order causing the loss of access to medical services.

In a related development, Leena Jang Foundation chairwoman Leena Jangjanya yesterday complained to the Public Health Ministry that her 86-year-old mother suffered a broken kneecap as a result of alleged malpractice by an unlicensed doctor.

"My mother sought treatment from him because he claimed he was able to cure paralysis, cancer and diabetes," Leena said.

She called on the authorities to take action.

Meanwhile, social critic Dr Prawase Wasi praised community nurses for providing home care.

"When patients are happy, their health is better," Prawase said.

He suggested local administrative bodies grant scholarships to students wishing to become community nurses.

"By doing this, nurses go back to their communities to take care of people," he told a conference.