By Bangkok Post
Published: August 22, 2006, 3:01 pm PrintEmail
Pressure group urges release of victims' records
A pressure group yesterday called for the disclosure of medical records of victims of medical malpractice for use in legal proceedings.
In a petition lodged with the Public Health Ministry, the Network of Victims of Medical Malpractice also proposed the establishment of a non-partisan body to arbitrate disputes between medical staff and patients, and the setting up of a compensation fund.
The petition was accepted by caretaker Public Health Minister Phinij Jarusombat and the ministry's permanent secretary Prat Boonyawongviroj.
Network coordinator Preeyanan Lorsermwattana said the patients who fell victim to medical malpractice had failed to secure evidence to fight cases in court despite the ministry's promise to look into the problem.
She cited as an example the case of Sirirat Junpetch who became disabled after receiving treatment for a spinal cord injury at Siriraj Hospital.
Ms Sirirat could not obtain her medical records for use in court, she said.
Ms Preeyanan claimed that doctors accused of malpractice had received help from the Medical Council of Thailand, which set up a legal team to help doctors fight legal battles connected with medical malpractice.
The team not only went through a medical record in question but also advised the accused doctor to provide the victim's family only a summary of medical treatment, she said.
More often than not, such a summary was incomplete with crucial information being left out, she noted.
"More and more doctors have been encouraged to file counterclaims against patients," she said.
The network also brought with them two patients who suffered from medical malpractice.
Yongyut Pannina, 20, was admitted to a hospital in Phrae after a motorcycle accident. His condition improved but he slipped into a coma and never regained consciousness following a blunder during the removal of a breathing aid.
The hospital allegedly forced his family to accept a settlement of 150,000 baht.
Marut Sutthipat, 15, of Udon Thani, was left paralysed after undergoing headache treatment at a clinic. His family was allegedly forced to accept 120,000 baht in compensation. Mr Phinij yesterday promised to look into the matter, saying he personally believed a medical record should be a patient's property.
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