AL considers foreign experts in malpractice investigation

Some lawmakers have recommended that foreign experts be allowed to participate in the assessment of local medical malpractice cases, according to the Legislative Assembly (AL) Third Standing Committee president, Cheang Chi Keong.
The Standing Committee continued to discuss the medical malpractice bill in yesterday’s meeting. Mr Cheong revealed that Committee members focused on discussing the establishment of a mediation centre.
Currently, the legislation recommends that both the patients and the medical professional who are involved in an alleged malpractice case must take part in the mediation voluntarily, in order for it to take effect. The government will also absorb the mediation fee.
Nevertheless, the president remarked that there are several issues regarding this part of the legislation that have to be addressed.
“There are some problems with this mediation centre. First of all, what is the nature of this institution? It should be a public institution, but which department should this institution be put under? There has to be staff working there as well. Where does the financial supply come from? Also, the centre has an obligation to keep things confidential.”
Moreover, some members of the Committee have suggested the introduction of a foreign system and foreign experts in assessing cases.
“There are diseases that [Macau] does not have too many cases of. As a result, we do not have enough experience or facilities relating to these diseases.
“If we do not rely on overseas experts to assess these cases, [both] to see what has gone wrong [and] in order to elevate our medical standard, this is something we have to consider,” the president said.
Cheang Chi Keong estimated that the Committee would finish discussing all the clauses of the bill within the current legislative session. In the upcoming season, they plan to focus on the medical malpractice evaluation committee, the mediation centre and the possibility of mandatory insurance for medical professionals. JPL