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Published on July 19, 2007

The news comes amid an increase in lawsuits against doctors for negligence and other complaints.

The data was revealed at a seminar yesterday to gather information and facts about the medical profession; the rights of doctors, patients and relatives; possible solutions to malpractice; and draft legislation to protect those who suffer damage or injury at public health facilities.

The deputy dean of Mahidol University's Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital, Dr Soranit Siltharm, told the seminar the percentage of successful candidates for medical schools nationwide who dropped out was about 25 per cent. At Siriraj, the percentage was quite high at 15. This indicated the desire to become a doctor had declined.

Dr Amnat Kusalanant, the secretary-general of the Medical Council, said more than 3,000 ethics complaints had been filed with the council against doctors over the past 17 years. Most were about substandard medical practices and exaggerated advertising with disregard for patients' safety, he said.

He also revealed that there were about 600 cases awaiting consideration and that the council would speed up the process.

Amnat hoped that draft legislation, which includes a fund to compensate people who suffer medical damage, would be one solution to the problem.

During discussion about the draft bill, Justice Ministry permanent secretary Charan Phakdithanakul said he supported the idea of a fund to compensate victims without pointing out who was to blame. But such an approach must not have the effect of lowering standards.

In the case of a doctor being proven guilty of a mistake that caused a patient's death, punishment would be meted out in both civil and criminal lawsuits. The doctor's employer would be responsible for the civil suit and the doctor must take responsibility for the criminal suit.

Charan also urged non-medical sectors to find a way to amend the law so that doctors would not be subject to criminal and civil punishments unless the mistake was deliberate and done by severe recklessness. This would give doctors confidence in making important decisions in cases of severe cases.

A representative from the Network of Medical Malpractice Victims said the system to check that doctors observed ethics and the Buddhist principle of Metta Dharma was lacking.

He also said the Medical Council's request for police to ask for the council's opinion before taking up complaints filed against doctors was a violation of people's rights. He said people felt the council could not be relied upon, so they turned to the National Human Rights Commission for help instead.