Dear Editor,
Criticisms have and are being levelled at the proposed Health Facilities Licensing Bill and in a democratic society such as ours, this is all to the good, because we are sure that the more discussion that takes place, the more the proposed provisions of the bill will be ventilated and understood and that constructive criticisms will be taken on board to make it better and more acceptable to all.
It is clear that there is a need for such a bill, as many people complain about the conduct of personnel and the treatment they receive at medical facilities, both public and private.
It would help, if in addition to resorting to the media, or instead of doing so, patients and their relatives can have some agency to which they can complain and seek redress.
Further, if health facilities had to satisfy certain minimum requirements in providing healthcare to members of the public, and were subject to some measure of oversight, those who were lax or slipshod would certainly want to put themselves in order, and this would help to protect their patients.
Yours faithfully,
Anita Wong
