Another year has passed. Year 2005 has been an eventful year for MDM. MDM has purchased its own premise at Plaza Damas. This is a very functional office and MDM shifted in on 1^st January 2005.

The membership in MDM has grown steadily. MDM is attracting quite a substantial number of members in Obstetrics & Gynaecology. The main reason for this is probably the differential in the subscription rates between MDM and another medical defence organization. The differential is very great.

MDM has raised its subscription rates for 2006. The category of high risks doctors carries the brunt of the increase. MDM will review its rates based on the risks borne by a particular specialty eg. surely a General Surgeon doing Therapeutic Laparoscopic Surgery carries a higher risk than a General Surgeon not doing Therapeutic Laparoscopic Surgery. Similarly an Orthopaedic Surgeon doing Spinal Surgery carries a higher risk than an Orthopaedic Surgeon not doing Spinal Surgery. Members have also queried “I do only less than 20 deliveries a year, or an Orthopaedic Surgeon says I only do the occasional discectomy. ”Either doctor probably has a higher risk than the doctors regularly and frequently doing these procedures.

Members are reminded that some of you may be treating foreign patients. MDM subscription rates reflect the litigation rate in Malaysia and provide indemnity based on Malaysia legal costs and Malaysian court awards. In event of a mishap and if the foreign patient files a suit in his/her country and is successful, the legal costs and court awards are definitely higher than that awarded by the Malaysian courts.

MDM organised two Medico-Legal Seminar in April 2005 and July 2005. In both the events the attendance was good but sadly the participants were non MDM members. It appears that MDM members are too busy to improve their Medico-Legal knowledge.

MEDIATION

When a member faces a medical negligence claim MDM will use mediation first in appropriate cases where all parties concerned agree. Our panel of lawyers support  mediation. This will resolve the dispute without delay in a cost-effective and discrete manner without parties going to the court.

Yours sincerely,

........................................................

YB Tan Sri Dato Abu Bakar Suleiman

Chairman