MPs gave their final approval yesterday to the draft Medical Liability and Patient Protection Law after approving an amendment to lower fines for non-severe medical errors, bringing the range down to EGP 10k-100k from the previous EGP 100k-1 mn.

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Why now? The decision comes after the Medical Syndicate argued that the previous fine range was too excessive for common medical mistakes. The bill aims to hold doctors accountable while ensuring that they are not unfairly penalized.

REMEMBER- The House gave preliminary approval to the draft Medical Liability Law earlier this week, revising the definition of gross medical error as severe mistakes causing harm, particularly under intoxication or neglect, differentiating errors from negligence. The bill also creates a liability committee and an ins. fund for damages.

False medical complaints could now lead to jail time: MPs also approved a new provision in the law that criminalizes false complaints against medical professionals. Under the law, anyone who files a complaint with malicious motives could face up to three months in prison, a fine of up to EGP 30k, or both. Lawmakers argued that stricter penalties would help prevent abuse of the complaint system and protect medical professionals. Between 80-90% of complaints against medical professionals are baseless, Medical Syndicate head Osama Abdel Hay told us.

The Medical Syndicate is happy with this final draft of the law, with Abdel Hay praising the law in its final form, saying that it now works in favor of the nation’s medical staff. The legislation will help ensure medical staff have a safe work environment, Abdel Hay told EnterpriseAM, adding that the syndicate had hoped that the fines on medical staff would be completely scrapped.

A long time coming: “We have been asking for this law for nine years now,” Abdel Hay said, adding that it was not right for a doctor to stand before the public prosecution — the new law will instead see doctors stand before a panel of three professors.

What’s next? The bill will now be sent to President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to be ratified and published as law.

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