Doctors' protests anger minister

NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Boycott and demonstrations. Both these words do not usually crop up when doctors are being discussed but several thousand general practitioners are planning to do just that.
The New Straits Times understands that unhappiness over new legislation governing the facilities in their clinics and the threat of being fined for various offences is boiling over.
The doctors said that the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 and Regulations (2006) (which came into force on May 1) treats them like criminals.
It is learnt that the doctors planned to boycott the Act and even stage a protest in Putrajaya, though the Malaysian Medical Association denied that such drastic action was in the pipeline.
News of what they were planning reached Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek yesterday. And he was all steamed up.
He said that if any doctors did not register their clinics under the Act, they would be classified as illegal operations.
To date, some 700 out of the more than 7,500 private practitioners have registered. They have only two-and-a-half months more to register.

Dr Chua said that he planned to have a meeting with the MMA next week, noting that he had received a memorandum from the association stating its unhappiness with the Act.
"We are looking into them and I have already stated that all feedback would be studied and necessary amendments would be made. I agree that some of the things stated in the Act are outdated and need to be amended. It’s no more relevant to current times."
Among the points of contention is the need for public telephones in clinics and emergency generators.
The aim of the Act and Regulations is to increase the scope of control and coverage of private facilities and services, maintain integrity and enhance the professionalism of healthcare professionals.
Dr Chua said: "All that I am asking of the doctors is to register their clinics. The RM1,500 for registration is a one-off thing for life. I really do not understand why they are making an issue of it."
He stressed it would be very unethical of doctors if they charged their patients more just because they were asked to pay the RM1,500 and do renovations to their clinics.
"I am also very sure the rakyat would want all doctors to provide the best services and have basic emergency equipment to give first aid during emergencies."
He said it was no excuse for doctors not to know how to administer cardio-pulmonary resuscitation during an emergency.
"It’s also important that their clinic doors are wide enough for a wheelchair or a stretcher to go in. What is wrong in asking for that? There are doctors who even make noise about this," said Dr Chua, adding many doctors were resisting the Act due to ignorance.
Commenting on MMA Sarawak branch chairman Dr Lam Chin Chyou’s statement that the medical profession had been subjected to draconian legislation with its accompanying heavy penalties for non-compliance, Dr Chua said: "There is no intention of treating doctors as criminals. We are only protecting the profession and the rakyat. As doctors they are accountable and should be responsible."
Dr Chua said he wanted doctors to respect the law.