I was shocked to read that doctors here are not required to take up insurance (Insurance for doctors here not required by law; June 19).

The Singapore Medical Council (SMC) should explain why it fails to require doctors to take out and maintain insurance, even though the law provides for it.

Had the SMC done it, patients like Mr Loh Yuen Chun would not be forced to accept less than full compensation for botched surgical procedures or to be paid in instalments.

It is time the SMC and Ministry of Health make it mandatory for doctors to take up appropriate insurance coverage before they can practice or be allowed to renew their practising certificate.

This may increase the cost of treatment, but it is necessary to ensure patients will not be left in a predicament.

Rajasegaran Ramasamy