JAN.

13, 2014

NR # 3345B

Bill grants PMA authority to file charges against erring doctors

A lawmaker has filed a bill giving the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) the authority to file charges against its erring members. House Bill 2482 authored by Rep. Marcelino Teodoro (1 st District, Marikina City) will also create an Integrated Medical Professional Organization of the Philippines, which shall serve as the umbrella organization of all medical societies. Under the bill, any person can file verified complaint before the PMA against any of its members. The grounds for filing of charges against PMA members are gross negligence, ignorance or incompetence, immoral or dishonorable conduct, insanity, fraud in the acquisition of the certificate of registration, addiction to alcoholic beverages, false or unethical advertisement, aiding any criminal abortion, issuing false medical certificate and violation of the Code of Ethics of the PMA. Teodoro said the PMA may impose penalties of reprimand, suspension or expulsion against their erring members. Teodoro said there are 117 component societies, which serve as the basic unit of the PMA, equitably distributed in all regions of the country. Teodoro said the PMA is one of the most prestigious organizations in the Philippines responsible for the training of specialists through its specialty societies and also for sustained excellent quality healthcare delivery through its continuing medical education and formulation of clinical practices and guidelines. The PMA brings together the entire medical profession under one roof to serve as an authoritative source of information on health, disease and medical practice, Teodoro said. Teodoro said the PMA has eight specialty divisions such as Pathology, Radiology, Anesthesiology, Surgery, Physicians, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology and Family Medicine. There is no other medical organization in the country that possesses the breadth, composition, membership and nationwide coverage of the PMA, and in almost all matters affecting health or the medical profession, the government seeks the advice of the PMA, Teodoro said.

The measure to be known as the Integrated Medical Professional Organization Act requires all physicians duly registered by the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) to become members of the PMA. Membership in good standing of the PMA shall be a condition precedent for his or her renewal of license and for the continuous practice in medicine. Under the measure, the Philippine Medical Association, Inc. (PMA) shall retain its organizational structure including the specialty divisions, specialty and sub-specialty societies and the component medical societies and as non-stock, non-profit corporation duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The PMA shall prescribe rules and regulations to implement the integration of the medical profession including the various specialty divisions, the specialty and subspecialty societies and their training program, and the component and affiliate medical societies. (30) jc