A 60-year old man has died outside a Pracha Uthit clinic after clinic staff refused to treat him, with one staff saying “don’t die in the clinic”.
According to a Bangkok Post, the family is calling for an investigation which happened last June 18. The man’s son approached the nearest clinic after the man experienced worsening chest pains.
The man’s son explained that he was frustrated that if the clinic would have done something to help his father, even if he died inside, he would not have been extremely upset. However, with how the clinic acted, he felt like the clinic was more concerned about “avoiding responsibility than providing care”, said the news report.
The son has filed a complaint with the Medical Council of Thailand, questioning the clinic’s ethics and calling for a review of its practices.
The Department of Health Services Support (DHSS) at the Ministry of Public Health has responded by dispatching officials to investigate. The clinic was closed when officials arrived but will be summoning those involved for questioning.
Investigation will focus on the operational procedures of the clinic–if they provided adequate emergency care–according to the professional standards, and if they properly referred the patient to a hospital.
Officials emphasize that private clinics are legally required to tend to patient’s welfare and must not refuse emergency care. Witnesses of similar refusals can report them to the DHSS, urged the authorities.
Once neglect is proven, the clinic will face fines or imprisonment as mentioned under the Medical Facility Act.