Doctors welcome move to bring in private clinics

NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Doctors have come out in support of the Health Ministry's proposal to refer patients with chronic ailments at government hospitals to private clinics.
The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) said this would ensure that patients with these kind of diseases would receive treatment at these clinics after office hours.
"Many chronic patients are working and cannot afford to make time to go to government hospitals which are only open during office hours," said MMA president Datuk Dr Khoo Kah Lin.
He said, with the legalities and procedures ironed out, this could turn out to be an example of good partnership between the government and the private sector.
"Everyone knows that government hospitals are overloaded and doctors in the private sector, especially those registered with the Malaysian Medical Council, are more than happy to help out."
However, he stressed the need for fool-proof guidelines on the funding of the programme and the kind of treatment private clinic doctors would be allowed to provide.
"The prescription of medicine has to be thought out clearly.
"I am sure the government would want to encourage the use of basic generic drugs. But there will be situations where special one-of-a-kind drugs will be required."
The Federation of Private Medical Practitioners' Association said the treatment had to be financed by a national healthcare fund.
Association president Dr Steven Chow said the public was already paying for the bulk of the fees under the existing system.
"What we are advocating for is to allow the private sector to help provide a more cost-efficient system."
He said there should be mechanisms to ensure quality medical care and protection of patients' rights.
This was echoed by National Consumer Complaints Centre director Darshan Singh who urged checks and balances to prevent abuse.
"There may be unscrupulous government hospital doctors who will refer these patients to their friends in the private sector and then split the profits.
"Even worse, they may start referring patients to private clinics even if the patients does not need follow-up treatment in the first place."