The Thai Medical Error Network on Tuesday submitted a petition with 33,000 signatures to the government, calling for the establishment of a special panel to control medical fees charged by private hospitals.
Preeyanan Lorsermvattana, president of the network, submitted the petition to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha through Public Health Minister Rajata Rajatanavin.
The network is campaigning for the government to set up a committee to control medical fees after receiving complaints, with supporting evidence, that private hospitals have overcharged patients.
Mrs Preeyanan said in the two weeks since the launch of the campaign more than 33,000 people have already signed in support of it.
She said the network wants Gen Prayut to exercise his power under Section 44 of the interim constitution and issue an order to disband the board of the Medical Council of Thailand (MCT) and replace it with a central committee made up of impartial members with expertise in various fields to oversee the problem.
As things are at the moment, some executives of private hospitals are appointed by the MCT to sit on the committee considering cases filed against them, she added.
There should also be representatives of the people's sector on the new committee, which should be responsible for overseeing medical fees charged by private hospitals to ensure transparency and fairness for all concerned.
The committee should be set up within the next month, Mrs Preeyanan said.
Mrs Preeyanan said while it is true that private hospitals may provide better services, this does not mean that they can overcharge their customers.
Some people do not want to go to a private hospital, but often have no choice in a case of emergency. In such a case, the hospital does not have the right to ask them to sign a paper committing them to pay for all the medical expenses they might incur. Medical charges should be fair and accountable, she said.
Health Minister Rajata said the government understands this problem and the ministry is looking into the fees charged by private hospitals, including fees for treatment, use of equipment, room and other services.
Agencies such as the Commerce Ministry, the Medical Council of Thailand and the Office of the Consumer Protection Board, along with representatives of private hospitals and people who had been overcharged, would be invited to attend a discussion this week to find a solution to the problem, Dr Rajata said.
The health minister promised quick and decisive action to resolve the problem.