Private GPs push back
Photo: AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
Don't compare grocers with health services, say doctors in protest
PUTRAJAYA: Mostly clad in black, hundreds of doctors gathered here to protest a new rule requiring private healthcare facilities to display the prices of medicine.
They were seen holding placards that read 'We will not be silenced', 'Healthcare workers are undervalued', and 'Unfair fees and policies keep current and future doctors away'.
The doctors, some of whom had even travelled from Perak, gathered here from 9am and intended to march from the Health Ministry to the Prime Minister's Office.
However, it was changed to a gathering behind the PMO at the last minute.
The protest ended at about noon.
The doctors have said they are not against the new price display mechanism but do not want the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (Act 723) used on the medical profession.
This was because private clinics are already strictly regulated under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586).
Act 723 is typically applied to retailers and grocers, and doctors, as professionals, ought not to be subjected to it, stated Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president-elect Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo.
'Don't compare grocery stores with professional services,' he said.
CLICK TO ENLARGE
Dr Thirunavukarasu said MMA supports transparency in the healthcare sector and was seeking support from the Cabinet and the Prime Minister.
He said general practitioner fees have been stagnant for many years and they are seeking the government's intervention on the matter.
'We know the fee is a political issue. That is why we are seeking support from the entire Cabinet.
'They are talking about inflation, and they must make sure primary care, delivered through over 12,000 clinics in Malaysia, is sustainable,' he said.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad assured that every demand outlined in the memorandum would be thoroughly reviewed.
'I will certainly get their memorandum. I will study every one of their requests,' he told reporters at an event yesterday, Bernama reported.
Among the 15 medical associations that joined the protest were MMA, the Federation of Private Medical Associations Malaysia, Interdisciplinary Medicine and the Malaysian Private Dental Practitioners Association.
The Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking for Drugs) order, which mandates that private healthcare providers display medicine prices, has been gazetted.
The order was signed by Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Ali.
Individual healthcare providers who fail to comply face a fine of up to RM50,000. Corporate bodies are liable to a fine of up to RM100,000.
According to the order, drugs that are visible to customers and kept on display must have a price tag.
For those that are kept behind the counter or not visible to customers, a price list must be prepared.
The price list should contain information such as the generic name or active ingredient of the drug, strength, trade name and the selling price per unit, per unit weight or the measure of the drug.
The price list would have to be displayed in a physical form, such as through electronic media, electronic screens and any suitable tools and devices customers can access.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
14 hours ago
- The Star
Free medical camp for underprivileged families at Cheras apartment
CHERAS: A FREE medical camp by Rotary Clubs at Pangsapuri Suakasih in Cheras, Selangor, brought much-needed healthcare services and awareness to underprivileged urban families. It was held in collaboration with the Health Ministry, National Cancer Society Malaysia and Balakong assemblyman service centre, among others. At the event held yesterday (June 21), residents could sign up for health screening and consultations which included blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, hepatitis B and C, eye checks and breast exams, among others. To boost community emergency preparedness, Rotary Clubs also donated an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). There was also a demonstration for residents to learn how to use AED and perform basic life-saving techniques such as CPR. Guest of honour Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan expressed his appreciation for grassroots healthcare and preventive initiatives. There was also a colouring contest to help raise awareness among children on dengue prevention and raising awareness on symptoms. Also present were Pangsapuri Suakasih joint management body secretary chairman M Khair Johari Ismail, secretary Hamidah Abdul Rahman and treasurer Mohamed Noorzaman Ismail. Other guests were Hulu Langat health district officer Dr Norsafinaz Mohamed and Rotary past district governor Teoh Kwan See.
The Star
18 hours ago
- The Star
From cushy life to offering a lifeline
Beacon of light: Florence and her staff in a discussion at the Sneham office in Seri Berapit, Bukit Mertajam. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star Corporate high-flyer finds a greater calling to help those in need BUKIT MERTAJAM: She once sat in posh boardrooms, drawing a high salary, steering corporations and troubleshooting problems across Asia. At the peak of her career, Datuk Dr Florence Sinniah did something few dare to do – she walked away. Not for a higher post or early retirement, but to listen to the cries of people crushed by grief or despair. 'I left when I was doing my best work. My performance was consistently in the top tier. 'But I knew I had another calling,' said Florence, founder and chairman of Sneham Malaysia – a renowned toll-free suicide prevention helpline. From corporate corridors to hospital wards, Florence wore many hats. She has worked as a psychiatric nurse, a midwife and a senior human resources (HR) director in multinational companies. It was during her HR career – navigating the mental breakdowns of top-performing employees – that she discovered her purpose. 'One case that changed me was an engineer who broke down from the pressures of managing a global team. 'I realised then that I had the ability to connect with people deeply, and that the mental health of people cannot be an afterthought,' she said in an interview. That realisation planted the seed that would grow into Sneham, which in Tamil means 'love' or 'friendship'. Florence began volunteering with the Befrienders hotline in 2009, quietly taking the graveyard shift from midnight to 6am every Friday – just to be there for those in crisis. By 2018, she knew she had to go further. She resigned and launched Sneham in October that year. Today, Sneham is powered by 35 dedicated volunteers, supported by 48 members in total. It's more than a hotline – it's a lifeline for those trapped in darkness. 'In a world where emotional pain is often invisible, just having someone to listen without judgment can save a life,' she said. Since 2019, Sneham has answered 9,235 calls, responded to 2,292 WhatsApp messages, provided 128 in-person counselling sessions, and reached 193 schools and communities with outreach programmes. During the pandemic period, calls surged from 375 in 2019 to 1,885 in 2023, showing how isolation and despair gripped a higher number of people. But running a lifeline isn't easy. Florence is candid about the struggles. 'We're constantly working to expand our volunteer pool and secure enough funding to keep going,' she said. In 2020, Sneham was recognised globally with the Stars of Covid Award – one of 100 selected from over 1,600 nominations. Behind the numbers lies the beating heart of a woman who gave up comfort to sit with people in their darkest moments – simply to remind them that they matter. Meanwhile, the Star Golden Hearts Award (SGHA) returns for the 11th edition to honour everyday Malaysians whose compassion and selflessness have made a lasting impact on others. With McDonald's Malaysia as the new strategic partner, SGHA is poised to broaden its reach and deepen its impact nationwide. This year also marks the debut of the McDonald's Caring Hearts Award – a special recognition honouring individuals or grassroots groups whose heartfelt acts of kindness have uplifted lives in profound and lasting ways. Since its inception in 2015, SGHA has honoured more than 100 individuals and organisations whose efforts have inspired action, transformed lives and strengthened communities nationwide.
The Star
19 hours ago
- The Star
Turning to nature to fight dengue
Using Wolbachia bacteria most effective method to tackle virus, says expert PETALING JAYA: A nature-based method of controlling the spread of the dengue virus has shown to be the most effective strategy in curbing dengue fever, says an expert as the scourge surges worldwide and medical authorities bank on new vaccines and drug treatments. World Mosquito Programme CEO Scott O'Neill said there is strong evidence in trials conducted in Indonesia showing the Wolbachia method has been the most cost-effective and sustainable way at tackling the virus by preventing its spread in the first place. 'High-quality clinical trials have shown that it can be highly effective, with a large trial in Indonesia showing a 77% reduction in cases and an 86% reduction in hospitalisations once deployed,' O'Neill told The Star in an interview. According to the World Mosquito Programme's website, the method involves releasing mosquitoes infected with the Wolbachia bacteria into the local mosquito population. The bacteria blocks viruses such as dengue, chikungunya and zika from growing in the bodies of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, thus reducing the insects' ability to transmit these viruses to humans. 'When Wolbachia is established in a mosquito population it results in a decreasing incidence of dengue, zika and chikungunya,' the website said, adding that the bacteria is safe for humans and the environment. Malaysia has also adopted this strategy by setting up 34 sites to release Wolbachia mosquitoes in Selangor, Johor, Penang, Kelantan, Melaka, Pahang, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. Last year marked one of the deadliest on record for dengue, with over 14 million cases and more than 10,000 dengue-related deaths worldwide, as reported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. In Malaysia, the Health Ministry reported 122,423 dengue cases and 117 deaths in 2024, a slight decrease from 123,133 cases and 100 deaths in 2023. Alarmingly, from Jan 1 to June 19 this year, there have been 29,717 cases recorded, with Selangor accounting for nearly half of these with 12,749, based on the ministry's iDengue site. This is followed by Kuala Lumpur with 3,972, Johor (3,265), Sabah (2,081), Negri Sembilan (1,946), Kedah (1,218) and Perak (1,072). At present, there are 280 active outbreak localities and 16 deaths have been recorded as of June 15. O'Neill is doubtful that the rollout of new dengue vaccines could be the silver bullet against the disease. 'The first vaccine had worrying safety signals when administered on those who did not have dengue before, while the second has only been evaluated in two of the four dengue serotypes. 'Both of these vaccines require multiple carefully spaced shots to be effective. Given the efficacy of current vaccines and the challenges of administering them in a public health programme, they are unlikely to represent a solution for diseases like dengue by themselves. 'They will be a useful tool, though, to contribute to dengue control together with other approaches,' he said. Last year, Malaysia's Drug Control Authority approved the first dengue vaccine for use in the country named Qdenga. The vaccine is said to protect against all four dengue virus serotypes. It is particularly effective against the serotype-2 virus (DENV-2), which is currently the dominant viral strain in Malaysia. O'Neill also does not see repurposing drugs to treat dengue as a promising strategy. 'While a lot of work has been done on the possible use of antiviral drugs to treat dengue, the problem is that most patients seek care too late after the disease has progressed for the drugs to be effective,' he said. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad recently revealed that repurposing drugs to treat dengue is one of Malaysia's latest approaches to fight the disease.
