The Ministry of Health and Welfare today said it is working to establish a standardized disciplinary system nationwide for physicians involved in sexual harassment cases, which it aims to implement by the end of the year.
Under the current system, local governments are responsible for investigations and may impose different penalties for similar cases, ranging from suspensions to revocation of medical licenses.
Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) told reporters that the Department of Medical Affairs and other relevant agencies are working with the Taiwan Medical Association to draft a unified set of principles.
Photo: Chiu Chih-jou, Taipei Times
Priority would be given to gender-related cases and those that have recently garnered public attention, including sexual harassment and gender discrimination cases, he said.
The proposed framework would establish disciplinary measures for conduct ranging from verbal harassment and inappropriate physical contact, to sexual harassment involving abuse of power, he added.
Currently, cases involving alleged violations of medical ethics or professional standards are first reviewed by local authorities, with the central government responsible for appeals and secondary reviews, he said.
Local disciplinary committees are composed of medical professionals tasked with reviewing cases involving contraventions of the Physicians Act (醫師法), he added.
The central government only becomes involved if a physician appeals a local disciplinary decision, he said.
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