Special fund to be instituted for medical malpractice claims

The patients who will suffer from improper medical services will be able to claim compensations from a specially established fund, following a proposal made by the Health Ministry under the Millennium Challenge's Threshold Country Program, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to Health Minister Larisa Catrinici the intention is to make medical professionals more aware and also to deter corruption in the public health care system. “When doctors realize that their patients can make claims for compensations, they will realize the risk of being punished. These measures will thwart certain improper activities, like corruption, among the medical workers. There are patients who complain that if there are no under-the-counter fees there's no proper treatment”, stated Larisa Catrinici. The official said that it hasn't been decided yet whether the ability to ask for compensation for medical malpractice will be the subject of a separate act or will be incorporated into the Law on Patients' Rights. According to Roger Vaughan, an international expert, the international practice advocates the ability of the patients to ask for compensation without resorting to court. “This document will enable the patients to get compensation for the injuries caused by improper treatment faster. It is also a cheaper way of settling disputes, without involving the court and without paying lawyer's fees”, says Roger Vaughan. The project has been submitted for consideration to the interministerial group and will be presented to the Government for approval by the end of the year.