Doctors seek equitable healthcare for all

Star: A group of doctors have come together to set up Malaysian Physicians for Peace and Social Responsibility to advocate equitable healthcare for all, especially the poor.
Members of the MMA Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War set up the movement to work on a broader agenda that will include addressing issues that affect people’s health such as war and poverty.
The group’s chairman, Datuk Dr Ronald McCoy said: “As privileged and influential members of society, doctors have a unique responsibility and opportunity to educate the public and decision-makers and persuade governments to formulate and implement policies that are central to the health and well being of people.”
Dr McCoy, the convenor of the new grouping, said they hoped to achieve their aims through “research, education, advocacy and public discourse.”
One of the key issues that the doctors would be addressing is inequity in access to healthcare facilities.
“We are concerned about how healthcare is being privatised. The question is who pays for healthcare and how do we meet rising healthcare costs. We have to look into a healthcare financing system that will enable the poor to access such services,” said Dr McCoy.
The society will also advocate for improved access to medicine and vaccine.
“Apart from the ravages of war, 18 million people died prematurely from medical conditions we can cure. A way of addressing the very high mortality and morbidity rates in developing countries is to reform the global health system to ensure improved access to essential medicines and vaccines,” he said.
The new society will be working with other related groups including international organisations such as the People’s Health Movement, which recently initiated the Global Health Watch.
Doctors are invited to become members of the new group and play their part in advocating for better healthcare for all.
Malaysian Physicians for Peace and Social Responsibility will be inaugurated by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad at 4pm on Sept 24 at the Faculty of Medicine in University Malaya.
Doctors, nurses and the public are invited to the launch.