Private clinics roped in to help

Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Private clinics may soon be roped in to help the Health Ministry ease its patient load.
Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said that if implemented, patients with chronic ailments would be sent to the clinics for follow-up treatment and medication.
He said the Government would pay for the consultation fees and medication of patients referred to private clinics.
“It is being studied. I have asked the (Health) Director-General to see how we can do it. This will be for those with chronic diseases like diabetes,” Liow told reporters yesterday, after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of co-operation between Kojadi Institute, Ikram Skills and Retraining Academy and ABS Consulting.
“This is because they need to see the doctor every one or two months, when they can get their medication. The doctors will also give them a check-up.”
Liow also said that doctors at government hospitals, who were on call, were now allowed to be off the next day. He said this was to further decrease the possibility of medical negligence.
“I want them to be at their fittest and not have problems handling patients,” he said.
Liow also urged more private sector doctors to volunteer their time at government medical establishments at least once a month.
“It is national service and we pay a token fee of RM80 an hour,” he said.
He added the ministry was still working out logistics such as office space to accommodate the private sector doctors.
Liow said as of two weeks ago, doctors at government hospitals were required to place their names at the beds of patients to create a “patient ownership” environment.
“This is so that the patient will know the doctor in charge. It does not matter if the system at government hospitals has doctors treating patients on a rotation basis.” he added that the “primary” doctors would place their names at the hospital beds.
Liow also said the ministry was willing to consider applications from companies wishing to start cord blood banks.
“Currently, four have registered with the ministry,” he said.
He added that government doctors had been sent for overseas training to enable them to operate cord blood banks.