ENOUGH is enough. The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has revolted against the threat of private hospitals being liable to a fine of up to RM5 mil or even imprisonment for refusal to accept Category 1 and Category 2 COVID-19 patients under the Emergency Ordinance (EO).
Stressing that it viewed with deep concern the statement made by Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday, MMA stood by the principle that the EO should be used responsibly and not to arm twist the private healthcare sector in order to use its resources.
“For the record, the private healthcare sector has been consistently offering their services in the battle against COVID-19 from the very start of the pandemic,” MMA president Prof Datuk Dr Subramaniam Muniandy pointed out in a statement.
“It must also be noted that most of the private hospitals are owned by GLCs (government-linked companies) where the Government as a shareholder is a beneficiary of its profits and dividends.”
Moreover, he noted that the EO should be used for a collaborative approach in finding and hastening solutions by cutting red tape and removing regulatory burdens for seamless implementation.
“The Government should stop playing big brother after not being able to contain the pandemic but should instead start listening to feedback from the ground and regard private healthcare as its key partner,” opined Subramaniam.
According to MMA, the 7,000 Health Ministry (MOH)-trained general practitioners (GPs) were sidelined from the start of the pandemic and throughout most of the 2020 in the fight against COVID-19.
“MMA has been regularly advising the Government on the important role of GPs in this pandemic,” reiterated Subramaniam.
“It is hoped the GPs will be roped in more effectively and be involved in the policy making in managing COVID-19 in primary care.”
Previously many GPs were reluctant to treat upper respiratory infections for fear of closure of their clinics and vague quarantine criteria from MOH. MMA’s numerous letters to the MOH and meetings with Government officials seem to have fallen on deaf ears.
In this regard, Subramaniam said the Government should provide clear guidelines and direction in policies for the private healthcare sector instead of threatening to fine private hospitals which do not cooperate in managing the pandemic.
“It should also take time to understand the private healthcare ecosystem before deciding on any policies,” he suggested.
“Desktop analysis policies will more than likely result in challenges during implementation, leading to failure and waste of resources.”
Worst still, Subramaniam denounced the use of threats and bullying as such mannerism will most certainly not gain the respect of the people.
“The Government should instead go back to the drawing board and for once and for all, for the sake of our beloved country and the rakyat, truly implement a whole of society and whole of Government approach,” he added. – Jan 15, 2021
