The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), together with other general practitioner (GP) organisations had submitted a joint memorandum on the issue of GP consultation fees and other issues to the Prime Minister following a peaceful assembly on May 6, 2025, which was a month ago.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) responded positively, recognising the present stagnant GP fees and instructing the Ministry of Health (MOH) to present to the Cabinet on this issue.
MMA and other associations have since met MOH officials and presented a clear, evidence-based case for the consultation fee increase.
We understand that the quantum of fee increase to be decided by the government will take into consideration the views of all, but we hope that the justification that has been given by MMA is taken into consideration, and that the review and approval by cabinet be done as soon as possible.
The 33-year-old unchanged consultation fees has taken its toll, and will only worsen the survival rate of GP clinics.
We also hope that the National Action Council on Cost of Living (NACCOL), chaired by the Prime Minister, which is also looking at the issue, will address the issue objectively and urgently, and hopefully give MMA an opportunity to present to it the predicaments of GPs.
It is disheartening o note that though private GPs do not rely on any government funding, they are still expected by some to benevolently provide health care as a social service to the public.
GPs have families too, and if GP clinics are not sustainable, the country’s overall health care system will suffer from reduced access to primary care, increased strain on emergency departments, and a decline in preventive health services, ultimately leading to poorer health outcomes for the population.
It should be noted that clinics, on a daily basis, relieve the pressure on public clinics and hospitals.
This long-awaited fee revision is not about profit. It is not about worrying about its effect on health care inflation, which occurs predominantly in secondary and tertiary care. It is about ensuring the survival of primary care, which is the most cost-effective arm of our health system.
The future of accessible, quality community-based care depends on this decision.
Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira is president of the Malaysian Medical Association.
- This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.
