CAIRO: The Cabinet has formally approved a draft law designed to regulate medical liability and enhance patient protection. This legislative proposal emerged as a significant demand during the National Dialogue, reflecting a commitment to addressing the fundamental rights of individuals receiving medical services.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the draft law is set to achieve several objectives, notably affirming the core rights of medical service recipients across various medical disciplines. It aims to establish a unified framework that clearly delineates the civil and criminal responsibilities of medical practitioners. A notable feature of the law is the establishment of the “Supreme Committee for Medical Liability and Patient Protection,” which will function under the guidance of the Prime Minister. This committee’s role will be to manage the system through established mechanisms, with the potential for future expansion based on evaluative insights.
The law also introduces a mandatory ins
urance system for healthcare providers and facilities, facilitated by a government insurance fund. This fund is intended to contribute to compensations for medical errors and may also cover other damages linked to the provision of medical services, even those not directly related to medical errors. The draft law includes three articles of issuance, alongside a publication clause ensuring its publication in the official gazette and stipulating that it will take effect six months thereafter.
Comprising 30 articles spread across five chapters, the law outlines obligations for service providers and medical facilities, offers a framework for compensation related to medical errors, and prescribes penalties for violations. It details practitioner responsibilities, prohibits certain actions, and specifies conditions under which medical liability can be waived. This legislative initiative marks a significant advancement in healthcare governance, focusing on patient rights protection and enforcing accountability withi
n the medical sector.