Specialists to go private soon

NST: Specialists will provide "private" treatment after working hours at the Putrajaya and Selayang hospitals by March.
Director-General of Health Datuk Dr Ismail Merican said the scheme would be extended to all hospitals with specialists based on the outcome of a six-month trial period.
The proposed scheme is aimed at keeping specialists in public service.
Dr Ismail said there were several measures in the pipeline to further improve conditions for medical personnel and provide better service to patients.
He said he was also taking several proactive measures to stop specialists and doctors from leaving public service.
Some 30 specialists and 300 doctors have been leaving the public sector each year though the number dropped slightly last year after the Government increased specialists’ allowances and provided better promotion opportunities.
"We are also looking into providing even better allowances for specialists and critical allowances for those serving in Sabah and Sarawak, remote areas, in short, providing better pay," he said after a workshop on "Empowerment of the medical profession in the New Millennium" at JW Marriot Hotel here.
The Malaysian Medical Association today submitted three papers to Dr Ismail following a brain-storming session over the last two days on promotion, the national health financing scheme (NHFS) and the issue of limited private practice. He said the NHFS would be ready by September.