Dear YB Datuk Seri Haji Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad,
Happy New Year to your good self.
I am writing to draw your esteemed attention to a matter of utmost importance that has been long overdue.
For the past two decades, the consultation fees for general practitioners (GPs) have remained unchanged, despite the significant increase in the cost of living and operational expenses of clinics.
This stagnation reflects a lack of recognition for the critical role that GPs play in the nation’s health care ecosystem.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that GPs have been treated as underdogs within the health care ecosystem. Meanwhile, Members of Parliament have awarded themselves a salary increment of 148 per cent in 2015.
If such a revision is deemed justifiable for policymakers, it is only fair that similar consideration be given to the GPs who serve as the backbone of primary health care in Malaysia (what’s good for the goose, is also good for the gander).
Proposed Revisions To GP Consultation Fees
Baseline Revision: The current consultation fee, ranging from RM10 to RM35, must reflect a similar increment of no less than 148 per cent, translating to a new minimum rate of RM25 to RM87. This is a matter of equity, fairness, and the protracted time frame considered.
Time-Based Differentiation:
- Evening consultation (5pm-10pm): Fees during these hours should be higher than the standard day rate (8am-5pm) to account for extended service hours and staff overtime payments.
- Night consultation (10pm-7am): Fees during the wee hours should be significantly higher to acknowledge the strain and additional operational costs borne by clinics.
The Vital Role Of GPs
GPs are the frontline providers of the primary health care ecosystem, ensuring that government facilities are not overwhelmed. Without GPs, the public health care system would face inevitable collapse due to the sheer volume of patients.
Challenges Faced By GPs
Many panel companies cap consultation fees, regardless of the time or complexity of care, leading to a negligible return for our services.
Administrative costs for clinics have skyrocketed due to numerous regulations imposed by entities like the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) Private Medical Practice Control Section (CKAPS) and panel companies, further straining operational viability.
These concerns raised are not only of Association of Private Practitioners Sabah (APPS), but are shared by all major medical associations, including the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Associations, Malaysia (FPMPAM), Pertubuhan Doktor-Doktor Islam Malaysia (PERDIM), the Medical Practitioners Coalition Association of Malaysia (MPCAM) etc.
GPs deserve better recognition and support by your goodself and your Ministry, given the pivotal role we play in society.
APPS urges your good Ministry to address this matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserves.
Yours sincerely,
Dr James Jeremiah.
P.S. APPS does not hold any resentment towards the good current Health Minister or his Ministry. We only want to be treated fairly.
The author is the immediate past president and founding president of the Association of Private Practitioners Sabah, who is a senior GP with 35 years in private practice.
- This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.
