KUCHING: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr. Sim Kui Hian described the revised consultation fees for private general practitioners (GPs) as timely, noting that the fees had remained unchanged for the past 30 years.
Dr. Sim, who is also the Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, said he welcomed the decision made by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad to revise the fees.
Dr. Dzulkefly has received approval for the immediate review of the fees under Schedule 7 of the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586).
The current consultation fee structure of between RM10 and RM35 has been in place since 1992.
“I want to thank the Minister of Health (Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad) because he has announced that he’s going to relook at this matter.
“I want to congratulate the minister for having the courage to adjust and be fair to the doctors,” he told reporters after witnessing the swearing-in of Padawan Child Councillors at Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) headquarters today.
On March 13, Dr. Dzulkefly said the ministry is in the final stages of discussion with the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) to determine the consultation fees for private general practitioners (GPs).
He said the revised fees will be announced before May 1 to ensure fair and reasonable consultation fees for private GPs.
Last month, the Malaysian Medical Association urged the government to delay the implementation of mandatory price displays until key issues affecting private GPs were resolved.
Its president, Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira, said the two main issues were GP consultation fees.
The fees have not changed in 30 years despite rising operational costs as well as the unregulated sale of prescription drugs at pharmacies and online.
Earlier this month, the health ministry agreed to a temporary moratorium until May 1 to address these concerns and consider revisions to outdated consultation fees.
