Materia Medica Malaysiana

Making cosmetic surgery safer for you

Anyone wanting a nip-and-tuck, a well-proportioned nose or breast enhancement can confidently undergo cosmetic surgery soon.
A Health Ministry task force is finalising the register of specialists which will be made public. It is also working to regulate and promote safe cosmetic procedures.
The numerous incidents of botch-ups by unqualified or quack doctors may become history as people can check against the register to ascertain if the cosmetologist they plan to see is qualified.
The director of the Medical Practice Division of the Health Ministry, Dr Mohd Khairi Yakub (picture), said today the register, listing accredited specialists, would be released when the review of the Medical Act 1971 was completed.
"The draft is already there, we just need to tidy it up," said Dr Khairi when opening a seminar on cosmetic surgery and announcing details of the Cosmetic Surgery and Beauty Exhibition and Conference 2006.
The conference will be held from March 17 to 19 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.