Malaysian Medical Association expresses gratitude to PM, calls for MOH dialogue on price control, fee reforms
Dr Kalwinder stresses the need for meaningful dialogue, particularly regarding the use of Act 723 and the long-overdue revision of private GP consultation fees, which have remained unchanged for over three decades.
KUCHING (May 10): The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has expressed appreciation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his prompt response to a joint memorandum submitted by 11 medical associations, while urging immediate engagement with the Ministry of Health (MOH) ahead of the Cabinet's tabling of related working papers.
MMA president Dato Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira stressed the need for meaningful dialogue, particularly regarding the use of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (Act 723) to enforce the medicine price display order, and the long-overdue revision of private general practitioner (GP) consultation fees, which have remained unchanged for over three decades.
'We commend these important initiatives and respectfully urge that meaningful engagement be held by MOH with MMA and stakeholders prior to the tabling.
'Constructive dialogue by the MOH is essential to fully understand the requests outlined in the memorandum, rather than conducting a unilateral review that lacks the necessary input from the medical profession,' he said in a statement.
Dr Kalwinder clarified that doctors are not opposed to price transparency, but are concerned with the application of Act 723 – a non-medical law – to regulate medical clinics.
Instead, the MMA advocates using the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586), which already governs clinics and enables ministerial regulation under Section 107.
'Doctors only dispense medications which they feel are needed for treatment in strict adherence to the Poisons Act 1952, which applies to them and comes under the purview of MOH.
'Doctors are also personally held responsible for every treatment rendered and medication given.
'Doctors are also accountable under the Medical Act 1971 (Act 50) and can be hauled up for disciplinary proceedings if any complaints are made,' he said.
On the revision of consultation fees, MMA welcomed the government's commitment to a fixed timeline and expressed hope that the new rates will fairly reflect the contributions of private GPs, who have endured a 33-year freeze in fees, currently ranging from RM10 to RM35.
'We hope the new increased rates will also acknowledge the vital contributions of private GPs to the health of the population and will be meaningful towards the sustainability of Malaysia's primary healthcare sector in line with the Ministry of Health's focus on strengthening primary care in the promotion of health and the prevention of diseases,' said Dr Kalwinder. Act 723 Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira lead mma private GP
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