Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act introduced

21 Jul 2006

Specialist Register launched

The Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act was introduced in Malaysia in May, and affects all private medical and dental clinics.
Clinics will have six months to register, at a cost of RM1,500. The Act includes detailed guidance on every aspect of how clinics should be run, ranging from limits on the fees that can be charged, to making sure that there is adequate toilet paper (on a holder) in the toilet.

One requirement that has attracted particular comment is the need to provide basic outpatient emergency care services for any occasional emergency patient brought to the clinic. Clinics should have emergency equipment available to stabilise the patient.

In the regulations, doctors are liable for fines of up to RM300,000 or a jail term of up to six years if they fail to register their clinics. The Malaysian Medical Association has urged all GPs to register and comply with the Act, while any concerns are resolved with the Ministry of Health.

The MMA are also organising, with the Malaysian Society of Anaesthesiologists, basic life support sessions to help private practitioners update their resuscitation skills.