Hospital fees to be regulated

Star: KUALA LUMPUR: A new ruling will be enforced soon to ensure that all private hospitals adhere to the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) Schedule of Fees.
The Private Healthcare Services and Facilities Regulation requires private hospitals to set prices according to the schedule.
Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon said the draft of the new ruling, under the Private Healthcare Services and Facilities Act, was now with the Attorney-General's Chambers.
“The MMA Schedule of Fees is now only a guideline to private hospitals, but after the ruling they must follow the schedule of fees.
“Otherwise, they will be considered to be breaking the law and action, such as fines and revoking their medical practising licences, can be taken,” he said, in replying to a question by Datuk Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar (BN – Larut) in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Lee said the regulations were implemented based on a study of fees charged by private hospitals, clinics and dentists.
To a supplementary question by Lau Yeng Peng (BN – Puchong), Lee said there could not be a separation of the right of prescription in Malaysia.
“This is because we are lacking in pharmacists and those living in the rural areas will also have problems looking for pharmacists, who are mostly based in towns,” he said.