Health minister to push medical malpractice victims' bill

Witthaya said he would speed up the medical malpractice victims' bill following its study by the Office of the Council of State during the year. The bill would reduce possible legal conflict between doctors and patients. It could also help patients receive compensation immediately for medical malpractice by doctors, he said.

"Most doctors, especially in rural areas, will not provide treatment for certain patients because they fear a lawsuit," said Witthaya.

To encourage medical workers in the health ministry, Witthaya said he has set up a committee to study the possibility of increased fixed allowances and develop career paths for all medical professionals working under the health ministry.

To help rural areas gain access to affordable and proper medical treatment, Witthaya plans to upgrade all 9,700 health care units across the country to become health promotion hospitals for local areas.

Additionally, the public health ministry will ask private clinics to partner the government in providing health care for people in their communities, reducing the number of inpatients in general hospitals.

The health ministry also will ask the National Health Security Office, which runs the universal health care program, to allow people registered under the scheme access to free treatment from any hospital they felt provided good quality medical treatment. By merely showing a citizen identification card to hospital staff they can ask for medical service.

To increase manpower for public health, Witthaya said the health ministry will join local organisations in producing more doctors, nurses and other health care officials by supporting scholarships for local people to study in the medical field.

Witthaya said he would push for Thailand to grow as a hub of quality medical, beauty and health care services. He will speed up the process of turning community hospitals into public organisations, especially in tourism areas, to provide medical services for tourists and foreigners. He said a medical council will help private hospitals adapt to the plan.

Meanwhile, the health minister has asked the Department for Development of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine to promote patient treatment.

Deputy Health Minister, Manit Nopamornbodhi said he has asked the Central Department Store's top supermarket to push the herbal pastilles "Indian gooseberry" on its cashier counters to promote herbal medicine.

Dr Pinit Hiranchoke, of Nakhon Prathom hospital, said the ministry should set up a rapid mobile team and hotline to provide legal aid for  physicians and medical workers facing lawsuits over medical malpractice claims. He said the health ministry should examine new bills such as the Consumer Case Procedure Act which simplifies patients' ability to sue physicians.

The ministry also should study how to extend the working lives of doctors, similar to  judges and state attorneys.

The National Health Commission of Thailand's secretary general, Dr Amphon Jindawattana said the health ministry should follow public policy on health issues as proposed by stakeholders at the recent  National Health Assembly.

The proposal asked the health ministry and other agencies to study issues like the health impact from using pesticides in agriculture, the access to affordable treatment and medicine, and the shortage of medical workers.