Doctors slam MCT reform proposal

Doctors slam MCT reform proposal

A group of doctors called "Power of Doctor" say it opposes a call by the Thai Medical Error Network (TMEN) to allow half of the Medical Council of Thailand's (MCT) seats to be occupied by people outside the profession.

The group's leader, Yongyudh Vajaradul, insisted most members must come from the medical field, although their expertise may be different, given the council's duties.

The MCT registers and issues licences to all medical practitioners, recognises degrees and certificates in medicine and helps uphold academic standards in the profession.

"If we allow non-medical specialists who do not have in-depth knowledge to take up half the seats on the council, over 50,000 medical practitioners nationwide will be thrown into uncertainty because they will not know whether their cases will be judged by experts should patients decide to sue," Dr Yongyudh said.

He said outsiders such as lawyers currently hold seats in the council's subcommittee on medical ethics.

"For me, It's fine to have some non-medical experts on the council, but it's unacceptable to allow half the seats to be occupied by outsiders."

Meanwhile, the Thai Association and Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and Medicine (Tacs) has launched a campaign on change.org urging people in the medical field to oppose the TMEN's proposal. The campaign has gathered over 6,000 signatures.

Recently, the TMEN submitted a petition, signed by 15,000 supporters, to the National Legislative Assembly, asking it to amend the 1982 Medical Profession Act.

TMEN president Preeyanan Lorsermvattana said the network called for a change to the MCT membership structure.

The number of council members should be cut from the current 56, and half the new members under the new structure should not be medical doctors, she said.

Ms Preeyanan argued the council's current composition was to blame for alleged bias regarding disputes between patients and doctors.

The TMEN will petition Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to exercise Section 44 of the interim charter to suspend council elections due early next year.

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