It’s becoming increasingly clear that the policies and decisions made by the Ministry of Health (KKM) are detached from the realities faced by those working on the ground.
Instead of addressing real and tangible issues, we’re met with unicorn plans — grand and idealistic strategies that fail to take the complexities of ground realities into account.
This is no longer a simple matter of public vs private health care or contract vs permanent staff. It’s a systemic problem: doctors vs KKM.
The most devastating impact? The rakyat are at the losing end. Patients — whom KKM is supposed to serve — are caught in the crossfire.
Doctors are overworked, demoralised, and fighting a losing battle against a system that seems to prioritise bureaucracy and politics over practical and people-centred solutions.
Adding to this crisis, private doctors are being increasingly cornered — not just by the mounting pressures of bureaucracy, but by the unchecked rise of third parties and unlicensed practitioners.
KKM’s lack of enforcement has allowed this dangerous trend to grow, further endangering patient safety. Legitimate health care providers are doing their best to maintain their duty of care, but how can they fight this tide alone?
To respected YBs in Parliament – it’s time to step in. Ask the difficult questions. Hold your colleagues accountable.
Malaysia has enough resources — financial, intellectual, and human — to build a robust and equitable health care system. What we lack is the willingness to prioritise the rakyat over personal interests or political games.
Doctors are performing their duty of care. When is KKM going to care for doctors? When will patient safety and health care quality truly become a priority?
It’s time for KKM to stop being a ministry of grand ideas and start being one of actionable, grounded solutions. The rakyat and their doctors deserve better. Enough is enough.
Dr Gokilavani Sekar Chandran is a member of the doctor’s fraternity and an affected private general practitioner based in Kuala Lumpur.
- This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.
