surgery Archives

6 October 2025

Malaysia

Clinicians’ Anaesthesia Decision Paramount, Private Hospitals Tell TPA

APHM tells a TPA that doctors make the final decision on anaesthesia choice due to patient safety. Private hospitals describe the TPA's memo as requiring comms from the physician for "admin" purposes only, not to be interpreted as "insurer authorisation".

3 October 2025

Letter

Anaesthesia Choice Must Be Based On Medical Necessity, Not Financial Factors — Malaysian Society of Anaesthesiologists & College of Anaesthesiologists, AMM

The Malaysian Society of Anaesthesiologists & College of Anaesthesiologists say while local anaesthesia is appropriate for many procedures, it's not universally safe to be designated the first choice. Anaesthesia choice must be based on medical necessity.

3 October 2025

Malaysia

AMM Condemns ‘Dangerous Precedent’ From TPA’s Anaesthesia Directive

Malaysia's specialist umbrella body, Academy of Medicine of Malaysia, slams the "dangerous precedent" set by a TPA's anaesthesia directive, calling it a significant overreach that directly impinges on the clinical autonomy of surgeons and anaesthesiologists.

3 October 2025

Letter

TPA’s Interference With Anaesthesia Care Sets Dangerous Precedent — Dr P

An anaesthesiologist says MediExpress' LA-first policy exposes patients to unnecessary harm. The choice between local and general anaesthesia is a complex clinical judgment. "If TPAs are permitted to dictate clinical choices, the precedent is dangerous."

23 September 2025

Malaysia

Most Surgeons In Malaysia Practising Outside Health Ministry

Only a small minority of NSR-registered surgeons in Malaysia work in MOH: general surgeons (33%), thoracic (30%), upper GI (28%), breast & endocrine (27%), hepatobiliary (25%), colorectal (20%), and vascular (17%). But all 9 trauma surgeons are in MOH.

17 July 2025

Malaysia

Overworked Specialists Unlikely To Join Rakan KKM, Says Senior Surgeon

A senior consultant surgeon in MOH says overworked specialists likely won’t join Rakan KKM to do extra work and remain in public service. Younger doctors value work-life balance and Rakan KKM likely can’t match private sector doctor fees under Schedule 13.

16 July 2025

Letter

The Metamorphosis Of A Surgeon — Dr Nagarajan T. Vellasamy

Retired surgeon Dr Nagarajan T. Vellasamy reflects upon the metamorphosis of a surgeon in five stages.

11 September 2024

Letter

The Hidden Risks Of Retained Surgical Items: A Call For Better Safety Measures — Kalivani Poongawanam

By raising awareness and implementing comprehensive safety measures, we can better safeguard patients and enhance the overall quality of surgical care.

24 May 2024

Letter

The Need For Health Care Privatisation Is Now Or Never — Government Specialist

A govt specialist, whose father did elective surgery in a govt hospital, says many surgeons or consultants in govt hospitals do locum during office hours. The specialist urges the privatisation of govt hospitals, citing successful examples like UMMC/ HCTM.

7 March 2024

Malaysia

In Landmark Ruling, Federal Court Holds Private Hospital Liable For Medical Negligence, Rejects Defence Of Doctors Being ‘Independent Contractors’

In a landmark verdict on the case of a patient who sued Columbia Asia after suffering permanent mental and physical disability from brain damage, the Federal Court ruled that the private hospital is "liable personally" for the anaesthetist's negligence.

Tag: surgery

Clinicians’ Anaesthesia Decision Paramount, Private Hospitals Tell TPA

Anaesthesia Choice Must Be Based On Medical Necessity, Not Financial Factors — Malaysian Society of Anaesthesiologists & College of Anaesthesiologists, AMM

AMM Condemns ‘Dangerous Precedent’ From TPA’s Anaesthesia Directive

TPA’s Interference With Anaesthesia Care Sets Dangerous Precedent — Dr P

Most Surgeons In Malaysia Practising Outside Health Ministry

Overworked Specialists Unlikely To Join Rakan KKM, Says Senior Surgeon

The Metamorphosis Of A Surgeon — Dr Nagarajan T. Vellasamy

The Hidden Risks Of Retained Surgical Items: A Call For Better Safety Measures — Kalivani Poongawanam

The Need For Health Care Privatisation Is Now Or Never — Government Specialist

In Landmark Ruling, Federal Court Holds Private Hospital Liable For Medical Negligence, Rejects Defence Of Doctors Being ‘Independent Contractors’

Bleak Future For Malaysia’s Health Assurance Industry — Dr Mohamed Rafick Khan

Nutritionists: Follow Malaysia’s Scientific Food Pyramid, Not US Inverted Pyramid

CodeBlue’s View: Doctors Must Follow The Law. Period.

Transfer Allowance Opened To Contract Doctors, Pharmacists, Dentists With 2025 Permanent Appointments: Minister

Digital Ministry Opens RM87m Tender For MySejahtera App Maintenance Over Three Years