Give Private Healtcare Act a chance, docs told

Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has urged doctors to give the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 and Regulations (2006) a chance to function.
Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said a lot of feedback from doctors had been received on the Act which had come into force on May 1.
“We have no intention of treating doctors as criminals,” he told a press conference at the third Malaysian Cardiovascular Interventional Symposium with Live Transmission 2006.
He was responding to the many objections doctors had raised, with some saying that the RM300,000 fine and jail sentence would criminalise doctors.
“We think that most doctors in Malaysia are responsible and good.
“At the same time, doctors should not think that all patients are crooks and are just waiting to sue them.
“Most of our patients are good patients. They are obedient and don't complain much. So there should be a balanced view,” he said.
Dr Chua said the whole spirit of the Act was to ensure that healthcare, which was becoming more commercialised, should be regulated.
“While I agree that the RM300,000 fine is a little prohibitive, human lives cannot be measured in terms of dollars and cents.
“The Act is to protect the interest of patients as well as ensure that the increasing number of practitioners practice with care,” he said.
The Act provides for patients in private healthcare facilities to complain to the ministry about unsatisfactory care or service.
Before this, there was no avenue for them to complain and the ministry was not empowered to act against doctors.
“Although there are weaknesses in the Act, we are ready to listen to those affected including the Malaysian Medical Association so that the weaknesses or the provisions could be changed,” said Dr Chua.
In his speech, Dr Chua said drugs to control hypertension and diabetes topped the list of medicines used in 2004.