THE authorities should be reasonable in enforcing the standard operating procedures (SOPs) when it comes to private clinics.
The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has been informed that there have been a few cases where enforcement officers have come down hard on clinics that have exceeded the waiting area capacity.
The authorities must understand that most people who come to the private clinic are unwell and usually accompanied by a family member or caregiver. Some of the patients require immediate care and we can’t turn them away.
As doctors, I believe we understand the importance of the SOPs much more than most people who are not trained in healthcare. We also have infectious disease and prevention guidelines to observe.
The GPs (general practitioners) and their staff will of course do their best to control the number of people allowed in the clinic although at times it can’t be helped. This is when we need the understanding of the authorities.
We appeal to the Government for some flexibility to be given in these instances as the private GPs are also frontliners and an important component in managing the pandemic.
The GPs also conduct COVID-19 screening while many clinics are now vaccination centres (PPV) under the National Immunisation Programme (NIP).
It should also be noted that many who are unwell with non COVID-19 health complaints are coming to the clinics now as all government healthcare facilities are overwhelmed with cases of COVID-19.
The private GPs have an important role in ensuring that first line primary care is still available and provided to the population during this time of crisis. – July 28, 2021
Prof Datuk Dr Subramaniam Muniandy is president of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA).
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
