Owner of clinic faces court action

Star: PETALING JAYA: The Malaysia Medical Council (MMC) will prosecute the owner of the private clinic who hired a locum who was found to be only a medical assistant.
MMC president and Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said if the owner was found guilty of “employing someone who is not medically qualified,” he would be held liable.
“The responsibility lies with the medical employers to ensure the persons they hire are qualified for the job,” he said.
He added that employers could be charged under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 and fined up to RM100,000, jailed two years, or both.
Dr Ismail said medical practitioners would be required to display their Annual Practising Certificate to show that they are registered with the MMC.
It was recently reported in Johor Baru that a medical assistant at a government clinic had moonlighted as a “doctor”, earning about RM40 an hour as a locum in private clinics.
He was arrested for allegedly molesting a housewife.
Malaysian Medical Association president Datuk Dr Teoh Siang Chin said the registration of clinics has resulted in fewer such cases, as there are stricter regulations over the setting up of clinics.
“Patients should also remember that they have the right to question the doctor.
“There is no harm in asking ‘Are you a doctor?’” he said.