KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 — The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) held a virtual meeting today with Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin to introduce its new exco members, and to discuss the way forward on various issues in the health care system.
Among the main concerns discussed during the meeting were issues affecting young doctors, the ongoing pandemic and the increasing healthcare costs in the country.
In the meeting, MMA presented solutions to a number of issues affecting both public and private health care. The contract system for doctors, pay grades and on call payments as well as frozen annual leave were among the issues in public health care that were discussed, while general practitioners’ (GPs) seventh fee schedule, Managed Care Organisations/Third Party Administrators, and GPs’ pandemic preparedness were among issues in private health care that were brought up.
In the presentation, MMA also proposed that a Health Commission be set up to look into urgent matters such as human resources in public health care, infrastructure and procurement.
“MMA wishes to thank the health minister for taking the time to meet with us on the many issues that are affecting the delivery of healthcare in the country. The health minister agrees that there is a need for reforms in our health care system and we are pleased that he is already embarking on the process,” said MMA president Dr Koh Kar Chai.
Recognising that health care reform is also a priority for the MMA, the association affirmed that it will work together with the health minister and his ministry towards reaching its aims.
The meeting also discussed adopting collaborative approaches and the concept of shared responsibility between public and private health care providers in the health care management of the nation.
In the meeting, the health minister acknowledged the important role of GPs in pandemic preparedness going forward as Malaysia transitions into the endemic phase.
He also took note of the longstanding issues GPs are encountering with the Managed Care Organisations, and the need to urgently resolve the matter.
