More doctors and people’s network rally in support of Medical Council

About 200 members and supporters of the People and Student Network for the Reform of Thailand rallied this morning in front of the Ministry of Public Health to show support for the Medical Council, which will meet tomorrow to consider upholding its May 8 resolution to discipline three doctors involved in former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s six-month stay at Police General Hospital.

Phichit Chaimongkhon, a leader of the group, accused Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin of distorting the facts. He vetoed the Medical Council’s resolution, claiming that the three doctors did not commit any ethical misconduct and that the penalties against them are too harsh.

The Medical Council resolved to suspend the licenses of the two doctors at the Police General Hospital temporarily and to issue a warning to the other doctor at the Corrections Department’s hospital.

Phichit also criticised Somsak’s insistence on attending the council’s meeting tomorrow, saying that it is inappropriate and it may be seen as exerting undue pressure on council members.

Jatuporn Promphan, another group leader, challenged Somsak to attend the council’s meeting tomorrow, claiming that his presence will not change the council’s resolution.

He pointed out that many doctors have been rallying in support of the Medical Council, while not a single doctor has shown up in support of Somsak.

He also urged the public health minister to check the receipts, issued by the Police General Hospital to Thaksin for his six-month stay, to find out whether most of the expenses were incurred for accommodation or medical fees.

Meanwhile, 84 alumni of Class 16 and Class 91, of the medical schools at Ramathibodi and Siriraj hospitals respectively, issued a statement expressing their moral support for the Medical Council, urging council members to attend the meeting tomorrow and to uphold the council’s May 8th resolution.

The doctors urge the council to resist outside interference, to instill public confidence that it adheres to ethical principles.