We applaud Health director-general Dr Mahathar Abd Wahab for taking a bold and principled stand against insurer and third-party administrator (TPA) encroachment into medical judgement.
His warning makes clear that the protection of patients and the sanctity of clinical decision-making must be non-negotiable.
The issues raised are not abstract; they strike at the very core of trust in health care. When administrative or financial directives begin to override the clinical needs determined by a doctor, patient welfare is placed at serious risk.
Dr Mahathar has rightly invoked Sections 82 and 83 of the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586), which safeguard against managed care practices that coerce or undermine a practitioner’s clinical judgement.
Those who persist in such interference should be reminded that these provisions carry legal consequences; any party found in violation may face prosecution under Act 586.
To TPAs and insurance entities, let this be an unambiguous message: you must respect professional boundaries. Do not attempt to direct admission status, treatment modalities, or any actions that contradict ethical and clinical standards.
That is not cost-control; it is overreach into medicine.
To licensees and persons in charge out there, we appeal to your conscience: regardless of your position or title, you remain a doctor at heart. Whether you are practising or not, your primary loyalty must be to the patient, to the Hippocratic tradition, and to clinical integrity.
Make your choice clear. Do not let financial or administrative pressure lead you away from your duty.
We stand ready to collaborate with the Ministry of Health, medical associations, hospitals, insurers, and all stakeholders to clarify roles, preserve integrity, and protect patient rights.
Together, we must ensure that no directive, no memorandum, and no profit calculation interferes with the sacred trust between doctor and patient.
This statement was issued by Private Medical Practitioners’ Association of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur (PMPASKL) president Dr Eugene Chooi.
- This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.
