Govt proposes further changes to health bill<\/p>\n
Dewi Santoso, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The debate over the deliberation of the medical practice bill
\nlooks set to drag on, as the government has proposed a
\ndisciplinary committee to provide better protection for both
\ndoctors and patients.<\/p>\n
The bill, sponsored by the House of Representatives,
\nrecommends a disciplinary court to ensure the obligations of
\npatients and doctors are fulfilled, and their rights protected.<\/p>\n
The House and the government are deliberating the bill, which
\nwas originally scheduled to be endorsed by the end of May.<\/p>\n
Chapter VIII of the bill says the disciplinary court would be
\nformed to accommodate patients who sought justice for losses
\nresulting from poor medical service.<\/p>\n
However, as the country already has four court systems, the
\nMinistry of Health has rejected the proposal and is pushing for a
\ndisciplinary committee to handle such disputes.<\/p>\n
The four court systems are the public court, commercial court
\nand state administrative court and rights tribunal.<\/p>\n
Under the government's proposal, the disciplinary committee
\nwould be authorized to examine and investigate cases to determine
\nwhether doctors had failed to exercise the accepted degree of
\nprofessional skill, or rendered services which resulted in
\ninjury, or damage.<\/p>\n
However, the proposal does not say that negligent doctors
\nwould be charged with malpractice.<\/p>\n
The committee would have the power to impose sanctions on
\ndoctors who were proven guilty of negligence, including the one-
\nyear suspension of their medical license, or compulsory further
\neducation at medical school.<\/p>\n
The committee would comprise a chairperson, an expert on
\nhealth law, a deputy chairperson, a doctor and a secretary.<\/p>\n
Appointed by the minister of health, the committee would serve
\nfor three years, with a possible extension of its term.<\/p>\n
The government has also proposed basic changes to some of the
\nbill's articles.<\/p>\n
Article 36 of the bill states that doctors are entitled to a
\nmedical fee, but it does not outline their obligations.<\/p>\n
The proposed changes clarify the responsibilities of doctors.<\/p>\n
The bill says doctors have the right to receive legal
\nprotection as long as they abide by the standard procedures of
\ntheir profession.<\/p>\n
Apart from adhering to standard procedures, doctors would be
\nobliged to refer cases, which were beyond their capabilities, to
\na specialist, or doctor with higher skills. Also, they would be
\nlegally bound to keep their patient's medical records
\nconfidential.<\/p>\n
The government also proposes changes to Article 41 of the
\nbill, which requires doctors to inform their patients of any
\nmedical treatment they will undergo in advance.<\/p>\n
The revision confines doctors to explain to patients in detail
\nthe goals of their treatment, as well as risks, possible
\ncomplications and alternative treatments.<\/p>\n
Yet, no article, in either the government proposal or the
\nbill, states that doctors could be charged with malpractice.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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