
Review of private GP consultation fees to be finalised within a month, says Dzulkefly
KUALA SELANGOR: Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad today assured that the review of consultation fees for private general practitioners (GPs) will be finalised within a month.
He said that a Cabinet memorandum and circular had been prepared and were expected to be tabled within the same period.
"I have prepared the Cabinet memorandum and circular for the matter. So, I expect to resolve this within one month at the latest.
"Once I have tabled it and obtained Cabinet approval, it will be executed, as the National Action Council on Cost of Living (Naccol) has already agreed to the review," he told reporters after attending the Central Zone 'Kembara Tolak Ubat Tidak Sah' (TOBaTS) campaign programme here.
On March 13, Dzulkefly was reported as saying that the revised consultation fee rates for private practitioners would be announced before May 1.
Meanwhile, Dzulkefly said the ministry would not prevent general practitioners from marching to the Prime Minister's Office this coming Tuesday (May 6) to protest against the policy requiring private medical centres to display medication prices, as it is their right.
"I believe they will act in a civil and respectful manner, and I am ready to receive any memorandum they may submit.
"I cannot stop them, but honestly, I want them to understand what the ministry (and) what this minister, has been fighting for on their behalf. They need to know that I have fought for Schedule 7 (related to the GP fee review),' he said. - Bernama
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Straits Times
6 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Dzulkefly: Govt may exempt Sabah, Sarawak doctors from rural allowance freeze
KOTA KINABALU: The Health Ministry will consider exempting medical doctors in Sabah and Sarawak from the freeze on rural allowances. Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, said the issue would be raised at the upcoming cabinet meeting. The freeze was implemented following the tabling of Budget 2025 as part of the Finance Ministry's fiscal consolidation strategy. "This issue was raised during my visit here, and we have taken it very seriously. "We will table the matter at the Cabinet meeting and examine it thoroughly," he said during the handover of 100 haemodialysis machines from the Sabah government to the Health Ministry at Queen Elizabeth Hospital II today. He was responding to concerns raised by Sabah Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib yesterday. James had warned that the freeze could discourage contract doctors from renewing their service in remote parts of Sabah, especially given the lack of basic infrastructure in rural areas compared to urban centres. There are currently about 4,000 government doctors serving in the state. Earlier, Dr Dzulkefly said the haemodialysis machines were urgently needed to boost treatment capacity in public health facilities across Sabah. The number of end-stage renal failure patients seeking treatment at government facilities in the state has increased from 1,831 in 2020 to 2,133 in 2024. At present, Sabah has 474 haemodialysis machines; of these, only 435 are operational, while 39 are damaged. The Sabah government has allocated RM8.5 million, including RM4.5 million for the procurement of the machines. Patients will be exempted from the RM13 fee for using the machines, while those undergoing home-based treatment via the Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) method will receive a RM100 subsidy from the state government.


Borneo Post
8 hours ago
- Borneo Post
MoU to boost cancer care in Sabah
Dr Dzulkefly speaking to the media. KOTA KINABALU (June 12): A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Cancer Research Malaysia (CRM) and six hospitals in Sabah today to enhance cancer treatment and support services under the Pink Ribbon Programme, also known as the Enhanced Patient Navigation Programme. Federal Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, who witnessed the signing, said the hospitals involved are the Women and Children's Hospital, Tawau Hospital, Duchess of Kent Hospital, Keningau Hospital, Beaufort Hospital and Kota Marudu Hospital. He described the programme as a major step forward in patient care, offering a system where cancer patients are continuously guided and monitored throughout their treatment journey. 'I was informed that the default rate used to be around 20%, but now it is almost zero, which means patients are complying with treatment and returning for follow-ups. This is an achievement we can be proud of,' Dr Dzulkefly told reporters at Queen Elizabeth Hospital II. He was present for the handing-over ceremony of 100 hemodialysis machines from the Sabah Government, represented by Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib, who is also responsible for health matters in the state. Dr Dzulkefly emphasized that the Pink Ribbon initiative goes beyond standard navigation systems, calling it an 'enhanced' service that has delivered excellent outcomes in preventing patients from defaulting on their treatments. In a separate development, Dr Dzulkefly also briefed the media on his earlier meeting with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor. Describing it as a meaningful engagement, he said the discussion focused on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and included an explanation of five sub-committees addressing related issues. 'We presented our plans, recommendations, and proposals in detail, which were received by the Ministry of Health in Putrajaya and my ministry. One of the proposals includes a funding allocation of nearly RM4 billion for the year 2030,' he said. The goal, he added, is to close service delivery gaps across all 23 to 24 government hospitals in Sabah. He also revealed that discussions were held about lifting the freeze on rural doctors' allowances in Sabah and Sarawak. 'That issue was raised, and we are taking it seriously. We will table it at the upcoming post-cabinet meeting for further discussion and follow-up. I'm confident it will be given due consideration,' he said. In addition, Dr Dzulkefly addressed developments concerning the proposed upgrade of the Heart Centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital II. He confirmed that preliminary work has begun, and discussions are ongoing, including land matters raised by the Chief Minister. 'We still have several key objectives to meet, but we are committed to doing our best, God willing,' he said.


Borneo Post
9 hours ago
- Borneo Post
100 new hemodialysis machines to boost kidney care in Sabah
James (front row, third from left) handing over the dialysis machines to Dr Dzulkefly. KOTA KINABALU (June 12): The Sabah State Government, through the Ministry of Community Development and People's Wellbeing (KPMKR), has supplied 100 additional hemodialysis machines to be distributed across various hospitals and clinics in the state. This initiative is part of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Sabah Sejahtera Health Assistance Scheme, said KPMKR Minister Datuk James Ratib during a handing-over ceremony held at Queen Elizabeth Hospital II today. Federal Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad was present to receive the machines. In a statement, James revealed that the total allocation for the SMJ Sabah Sejahtera Health Assistance Scheme amounts to RM8.5 million — comprising RM4 million for treatment costs and RM4.5 million for the purchase of the machines. 'The contribution of these machines is part of KPMKR's effort to ease the burden on end-stage renal failure (ESRF) patients in Sabah, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds,' he said. He noted that the number of ESRF patients receiving treatment in government facilities has increased from 1,831 in 2020 to 2,133 in 2024. 'In light of the rising number of patients, the Sabah State Government remains committed to improving the quality and accessibility of hemodialysis services across the state,' he added. Currently, Sabah has 474 hemodialysis machines, but only 435 are functional, while 39 are out of service. To further support patients, the state government has waived the RM13 treatment fee and provides a RM100 subsidy to patients who opt for Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) at home. Hemodialysis machines are essential in treating kidney failure. With the growing number of patients, it is critical for health facilities to be equipped with enough reliable machines. This initiative aims to replace ageing or malfunctioning units and ensure compliance with current medical standards. The new machines, featuring advanced filtration systems, touchscreens, digital monitoring, energy efficiency and user-friendly designs, come with a minimum one-year warranty and maintenance services. The 25 government facilities receiving the machines include Queen Elizabeth Hospitals I and II in Kota Kinabalu, the Women and Children Hospital, Tuaran, Papar, Ranau, Kota Belud, Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu and Sandakan hospitals. Dr Dzulkefly thanked the Sabah Government for the contribution, noting the increasing urgency for dialysis equipment. He also acknowledged that the state has made hemodialysis treatment nearly free, including for CAPD, further easing the financial burden on patients. Also present was Sabah Health Department director Dr Maria Suleiman.