China
Medical Malpractice Insurance
  ·  2018-04-23  ·   Source: NO. 17 APRIL 26, 2018

Medical malpractice insurance was recently launched in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, allowing a doctor to pay a premium of no more than 3,000 yuan ($478) a year on a voluntary basis and receive a compensation of as much as 4 million yuan ($637,000) once medical accidents occur.

The risks of medical accidents may be no lower than traffic accidents, but victims of traffic accidents are covered by car insurance, while protection for victims of medical accidents is lacking. This can lead to strained relations and frequent disputes between patients and doctors. Medical malpractice insurance is an international practice which can serve to solve disputes between the two parties.

Beijing has also promoted a similar insurance scheme in its hospitals since 2005. However, compared with Shenzhen, which requires individual doctor subscription, the premium in Beijing is paid by the entire hospital. Once an accident happens, patients reach a compensation agreement with the hospital through mediation by third-party insurance companies.

Medical malpractice insurance serves as an ample source of compensation for patients who suffer medical accidents. Some worry, however, that it may downplay the responsibilities of doctors and medical institutions. In this respect, Shenzhen's practice is a step forward because doctors who subscribe to the insurance as individuals will have their reputation tarnished if they are repaid more frequently than others.

(This is an edited excerpt of an article published in Guangming Daily on April 16)  

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