A new bill has been filed at the House of Representatives requiring veterinarians in the Philippines to obtain veterinary malpractice insurance worth at least ₱50,000 (about $1,000) to cover claims of damages resulting from malpractice leading to injury or death of animal patients.
The Anti-Veterinary Malpractice Act of 2023, or House Bill No. 7896, was filed on April 25 by Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte, Lone District of Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, and ACT-CIS Partylist Rep. Edvic Yap.
Failure to comply with the provision would result in suspension of a veterinarian’s professional license until the requirement is met.
The proposed measure also specifies that veterinary malpractice can be prosecuted upon a complaint by a client, their parents or legal guardians, grandparents or collateral relatives, and concerned veterinary hospital or clinic employees.
In cases of suspected malpractice, the complainant can preserve the remains of their patient and seek a necropsy from another veterinarian.
If passed into law, medical malpractice in veterinary medicine is punishable by prison correccional and a fine ranging from ₱100,000 to ₱500,000, along with cancellation and revocation of permits and licenses. – InsuranceNewsAsia.com
