Health Ministry Detects Six Bogus Doctors

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- The government has sealed six private healthcare centres because they were run by bogus doctors, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said Monday.
He said the healthcare centres included a medical centre, a maternity centre and a 24-hour clinic located in Seremban, Klang and Johor Baharu.
"The six bogus doctors include a medical assistant, a community nurse, an ex-army nurse and a foreigner -- all operating like doctors and some even delivering babies," he told reporters here.
The six "doctors" would be charged under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 which carries a maximum fine of RM300,000 or six years' jail or both if convicted, he said.
"The ministry expects more of such clinics run by bogus doctors to be detected when a nationwide crackdown is launched soon with the immediate focus on the Federal Territories," he said.
Dr Chua said the move was possible with the introduction of the Act, which among others, made it compulsory for private doctors to be registered. The registration process ended last November.
He said the six cases did not include a case where a traditional medical practitioner in Shah Alam had given illegal treatment and was still at large since his clinic was raided last year.

Commenting on the much-delayed Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Star, he said the ministry would only receive the hospital from the developer after the ministry was satisfied that all problems including technical and engineering had been rectified.
The RM565 million project should have been completed five years ago but had been extended five times.
"Not all Class A contractors can build hospitals as building a hospital is more complicated than building a hotel, a shopping complex or a house.
"The chosen contractor should have the expertise and good background and track record in building hospitals," he said.
He said no new date for the delivery had been fixed.

Speaking on other matters, Dr Chua said that pig breeders had agreed to sign a pledge of loyalty with the ministry by the end of this month that all pig farms in the country would be free from beta-agonist, an enhancement agent that can cause cancer, increase heart beat rate and in advance heart disease can cause sudden death.
"Their pigs will not be allowed to be sent to the slaughterhouse if they fail to sign the commitment," he added.
Dr Chua said beta-agonist was brought into the country through illegal means as the country's Poison Act did not allow the import of such agent in whatever form.