‘Doctors are not retailers': Private GPs hits out at Health Ministry's billing push via TikTok Live
KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 — A controversial TikTok Live broadcast, purportedly by a senior Health Ministry officer, has drawn backlash from private doctors, who accuse the ministry of bypassing legal channels to impose new billing requirements on clinics.
The Federation of Private Medical Practitioners' Associations Malaysia (FPMPAM) said the guidance given by Mohemmad Redzuan Mohd Rizal, a senior officer from the Pharmaceutical Services Programme (PSP), over a TikTok Live session, was inappropriate and lacked legal basis.
'This announcement, made over social media without any formal directive, circular, or legal amendment, is a gross overreach,' FPMPAM president Dr Shanmuganathan Ganeson said in a statement today.
The group stressed that doctors operate under different legislation – namely the Medical Act 1971 and the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586) – and not the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (Act 723), which typically governs retail pricing and is under the purview of the Domestic Trade Ministry.
'Doctors are not retailers. The itemisation of consultation fees, procedures, and medications is a matter of clinical governance – not pharmaceutical jurisdiction,' Dr Shanmuganathan said.
He added that while itemised billing is currently available upon request, making it mandatory without proper legislative backing or stakeholder consultation was 'legally flawed and professionally inappropriate.'
FPMPAM also warned that unbundling services to comply with forced itemisation could lead to higher costs for patients – the opposite of the government's goal of improving affordability.
The group wants MOH to:
Clarify the scope and application of Act 723 in relation to private clinics
Stop issuing unofficial instructions via social media platforms
Engage healthcare stakeholders in proper consultation before any enforcement measures.
'We support ethical transparency but reject attempts to reduce medical care to a retail transaction,' said Dr Shanmuganathan, adding that healthcare must remain patient-centred and professionally regulated.
MOH has yet to publicly respond to the concerns raised.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
QuickCheck: Is a deputy minister promoting a health product for diabetes patients?
ONE'S health is a matter that should never be neglected. Unfortunately, some suffering from long-term diseases, desperate to be rid of what ails them, can be susceptible to unscrupulous businesses. In that regard, is there any truth that a deputy minister is promoting a health product for diabetes patients? Verdict: FALSE The Health Ministry has asked the public to be wary of a video on social media that misuses the identity of Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni to promote a diabetes care product. It said that the deputy minister had never endorsed such a product and added that his image was generated using artificial intelligence! "The public is advised to only use health products registered with the Health Ministry and not to purchase any health products from unaccredited sellers or vendors, especially through online platforms," it said in a Facebook post on Sunday (June 8). The ministry said consumers should only use health products after consultation with and guidance received from qualified medical practitioners. The ministry also urged the public to report any unregistered health products to its pharmacy services programme through the public complaint management system (SisPAA) at "The ministry strongly condemns the unethical use of AI technology," it said, adding that use of unauthorised health products was dangerous and could even lead to death! The ministry also urged the public not to be easily deceived or influenced and also warned entrepreneurs not to mislead the public.
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Health, job grounds cited by 206 national service absentees
Legal action can be taken under Section 18(1) of the National Service Training Act 2003 if those selected fail to attend the programme. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Health issues and job commitments have been given as the main reasons for the absence of 206 participants from the national service training programme (PLKN) 3.0 held last month. Deputy defence minister Adly Zahari said the ministry will conduct a comprehensive assessment to resolve such issues, Bernama reported. 'We want to understand the reasons behind their failure to register because, based on the approach we use, we not only inform them but also maintain direct communication with those involved,' he said after the Madani village veterans' programme at SK Sungai Rual in Jeli today. Adly said the ministry is currently obtaining reports from the PLKN committee, including reviewing presentations by the national service training department and examining the reasons for the participants' absence. He said participants are bound by the National Service Training Act 2003 (Act 628), adding that the ministry would conduct a thorough review of the justifications for their failure to register before any enforcement of the Act is considered. 'We'll invoke the Act and enforce disciplinary measures if there is no other option,' he said. Under the Act, trainees who fail to register within the stipulated period may be referred for legal action under Section 18(1) of Act 628. In a separate development, he stated that due to the low participation of Orang Asli in the armed forces, the ministry will intensify awareness programmes in Orang Asli villages, particularly in Gua Musang and Jeli, Kelantan.
Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
APHM organising largest hospital exhibition in Malaysia
Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia president Dr Kuljit Singh says the exhibition, which will be held from June 9 to 11, is timely in view of the rising global healthcare costs. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) is organising what is reputed to be the largest hospital exhibition in the country next week. APHM president Dr Kuljit Singh said the event will feature a total of 420 exhibitors from Europe, the US, Australia and Asia. They will be offering equipment at competitive prices, which in the long run would help in reducing the cost of private healthcare. Kuljit said the cost of treatment at private hospitals also hinged on the latest innovations these hospitals had. 'And people all over the world are looking for cost-effective and value-added treatment. 'So this exhibition will allow private hospitals to make informed choices that can ultimately attract more health tourists,' he said when contacted, referring to the APHM International Healthcare Conference and Exhibition. Kuljit went on to say that the exhibition, which will be held from June 9 to 11, was timely in view of the rising global healthcare costs. He also encouraged public hospitals to attend the exhibition as they could invest in technology that was comparatively cheaper. Kuljit expressed hope that the exhibition will solidify Malaysia's leadership in the Asean healthcare landscape. According to a 2024 report by RHB, Malaysia is among the top destinations for medical tourism within the region. The country took in over RM2 billion in revenue in 2023. Kuljit said the exhibition will run concurrently with the APHM International Healthcare Conference 2025, which is set to explore six focussed tracks on healthcare challenges, including cost management and financing through evidence-based, patient-centred discussions, and collaboration between private providers and global innovators. The exhibition and conference, which will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, are jointly organised by the Reed Sinopharm Exhibitions. It will be officiated by health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad.
