The Dominican Medical College (CMD) today deposited in the National Congress a bill that seeks to decriminalize medical acts that, although proven to have fatal outcomes, were not performed “with harmful intent.”
“Just 30 minutes ago we just submitted the bill that decriminalizes medical acts in which there is no intention to cause harm,” explained the president of the union, Waldo Ariel Suero.
Suero indicated that the rule does not seek to protect doctors with a cloak of impunity, but rather to verify the evil in the procedures.
“We doctors do not seek impunity, “We are citizens and we respect the laws, but with this proposal we seek to know if there was an intention to harm that patient, that is, if that doctor acted with bad intentions,” he added.
The draft details that the doctor-patient relationship It is based on good faith, aimed at the well-being of the patient, so medical procedures should not be subject to criminal sanctions if no deliberate intention to cause harm is demonstrated.
Doctors hope that National Congress Give favorable action to this proposal, which would strengthen the health system by reducing unjustified legal fears among professionals in the sector.
Piece points
- Right to health: The Constitution of the Dominican Republic recognizes health as a fundamental right.
- Protection of human dignity: The State must safeguard the dignity and fundamental rights of people.
- Presumption of good faith: Medical procedures are designed to preserve life and health, excluding the intent to cause harm.
- Need for clear criteria: It is proposed to establish regulations for legal proceedings against health professionals, ensuring that they are only penalized if malicious intent is demonstrated.
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