Singapore has come up with a faster and fairer redress against negligent or unprofessional doctors, after the amendments to the Medical Registration Bill were passed in Parliament yesterday.

The changes introduced will enable medical watchdog Singapore Medical Council to exercise its power to maintain discipline against errant doctors.

The country witnessed a rise of 96 last year from 66 in 2003. Mr Khaw also cited an example of a complex case that took over five years to settle.

Singapore's need for doctors is urged by the growing population. The major need for the regulation was posed because of increasing foreign-trained doctors working in Singapore.

The influx of foreign patients seeking treatment and the target to facilitate even better service results in a drastic need that cannot be met by the National University of Singapore's annual output of just over 200 medical graduates.

The amendment for letting SMC appoint senior legal professionals as chairmen or members of a disciplinary tribunal, lead to the emergence of a heated argument between doctors and lawyers in the House.