The Medical Council yesterday announced that it would not partiicipate in a tripartite committee to discuss a bill aimed at protecting victims of medical malpractice in an important meeting on Saturday, before making an about-face decision to stay involved.
Announcing the council's withdrawal earlier yesterday, chairman Dr Somsak Lohlekha said the membership conditions of the tripartite violated an agreement okayed in a preliminary meeting on Monday - and chairman's secretary Dr Chotisak Jenpanich had been approved a member without the Council's approval.
The 20-member three-part committee includes eight members representing the public, eight from the Medical Council and four from the Public Health Ministry.
After an intervention by PM Abhisit Vejjajiva, Dr Chotisak said the Medical Council had not withdrawn completely, but it would not send anyone to attend the Saturday meeting.
"We are ready for further talks, but the conditions set need to be fair and transparent," he said. "We are waiting for a gesture from Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit." Chotisak said membership numbers on the committee had increased to 23 without the Council knowing and approving. "This would likely result in a lack of neutrality," he added.