Reforming Doctors’ Fees Plays Key Role on the Path to Sustainable Healthcare

WORDS DR HARDIP SINGH GENDEH

FEATURED EXPERT
DR HARDIP SINGH GENDEH
Lecturer and Specialist Ear, Nose & Throat Surgeon
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
Faculty of Medicine
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) hosted a pivotal forum titled Fee Schedule: Reforming Doctors’ Remunerations for a Sustainable Healthcare as part of the National MMA Convention & Scientific Congress 2024 and the 64th MMA Annual General Meeting.

The event took place on Saturday, 7 September 2024, in Kuching, Sarawak.

KEY INSIGHTS FROM INDUSTRIAL LEADERS

The forum provided valuable insights into the future direction of the Fee Schedule, focusing on both Schedule 7 and 13.

It saw notable contributions from various stakeholders in the healthcare industry, associations, the Ministry of Health (MOH), and medical professionals. The discussion was moderated by Associate Professor Sanjiv Rampal from IMU University and yours truly from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

Panelists included:

  • Dato’ Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira, representing the MMA
  • Dr Vasu Pillai, also representing the MMA
  • Dr Mohamed Iqbal Hamzah from the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH)
  • Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo, representing general practitioners
  • Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh, representing the Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia (APHM)
  • Dr Gunalan Palari, specialist representative
  • Dr Liew Shan Fap, representing the Society of Private Medical Practitioners Sarawak
CHALLENGES AND PROPOSALS FOR FEE SCHEDULE REFORM

During the forum, Dr Mohamed Iqbal Hamzah, Head of the Medical Practice Division at the Ministry of Health, shared key issues regarding the current Doctors’ Fee Schedule.

The discussion covered the history of fee schedules for private specialists and general practitioners, their benefits and drawbacks, and the need for timely revisions to reflect the changing healthcare landscape.

MMA’S PROPOSALS FOR HARMONIZATION AND TIMELY REVIEWS

The MMA presented two critical recommendations:

  • The harmonization of fee schedules across practices
  • The implementation of a regular, timely review process

Both recommendations are raised to ensure that doctors’ remunerations are fair and up to date.

AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT RAISES OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUTURE DISCUSSIONS

The interactive forum sparked lively engagement, with questions posed both in person and online.

Bolstered by this response, the MMA expressed its eagerness for more discussions and engagements on this crucial topic in the future.

If you missed the forum, catch up by watching the full session here (link opens in a new tab).

Stay Safe, Stay Protected: Malaysia’s MyPELINDUNG Campaign for COVID-19

WORDS LIM TECK CHOON

Recently, the Malaysian Society of Infection Control and Infectious Diseases (MyICID), the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM), the Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC), and Diabetes Malaysia (DM), in partnership with Pfizer Malaysia, extended the MyPELINDUNG campaign under the theme Lindungi Malaysia, Sihat Bersama.

The campaign emphasizes the need for continued vigilance, vaccinations, and timely medical treatment in the fight against COVID-19.

THE NATIONAL LAUNCH OF MyPELINDUNG

This prestigious launch event saw many key figures coming together to highlight the importance of the campaign.

“As we adapt to living with COVID-19, staying proactive is key. Vaccinations, following health guidelines, and seeking prompt medical advice are crucial in keeping our communities safe,” said Dato’ Danial Iskandar, the Deputy Secretary General of MRC.

FAMILIAR FACES LEAD THE CHARGE

This year’s campaign featured well-known personalities from different walks of life, each advocating for public health and safety in unique ways:

  • Media personalities Atilia Haron and Aishah Sinclair, representing the sandwich generation, highlighted the importance of protecting both children and elderly parents, particularly their own vulnerable parents, Salamiah Hassan and Dida Sinclair.
  • Veteran actor Dato’ Jalaludin Hassan advocated for older adults, especially those with pre-existing conditions, stressing timely medical care and continued caution.
  • Dr Say Shazril focused on parents protecting their children, emphasizing vaccinations and preventing disruption to education and social life.
  • Actress Fasha Sandha shared her personal experience of how COVID-19 disrupted her family reunion during Hari Raya Puasa, underscoring the virus’s potential to change cherished moments.
  • Comedian Douglas Lim talked about the challenges of work-related travel in the era of COVID-19, advocating for health and safety while on the go.
VACCINES ARE YOUR SHIELD AGAINST SEVERE COVID-19

Vaccinations remain a powerful defense against severe illness, hospitalization, and death.

Staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines is essential, particularly for the elderly, individuals with underlying health conditions, and children.

“COVID-19 is here to stay. Vaccinations are critical in preventing severe illness and reducing hospitalizations, especially for those at higher risk,” said Dr Shaharudeen Kamaludeen, the President of MyICID.

EARLY TREATMENT IS A CRITICAL STEP FOR HIGH-RISK GROUPS

For individuals aged 60 and older or those with medical conditions like diabetes and chronic lung disease, the risk of severe COVID-19 remains high.

Hence, early treatment is key. Consulting with healthcare professionals immediately upon testing positive can improve the management of the illness and provide peace of mind for families.

“Early treatment, even for mild symptoms, is crucial. It reassures families and helps manage the illness more effectively,” said Dato Dr Saunthari Somasundaram.

Dr Mohazmi, the Secretary-General of DM, echoed her statement and emphasized the importance of starting treatment as soon as possible to reduce severe outcomes.

GET INVOLVED TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR LOVED ONES

The MyPELINDUNG campaign continues to reach Malaysians through digital platforms like Facebook, with engaging content, live streams featuring medical experts, and community outreach events.

“MyPELINDUNG reflects our commitment to public health, ensuring that essential healthcare information reaches every Malaysian,” said Deborah Seifert, the Cluster Lead of Pfizer Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia & the Philippines.

Stay connected with the MyPELINDUNG campaign by following their official Facebook page (link opens in a new tab) for updates and helpful resources.

ASEAN Unveils Groundbreaking Platform to Combat Airborne Infections and Boost Pandemic Preparedness

WORDS LIM TECK CHOON

On 8 August 2024, the 16th ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting (AHMM) witnessed the launch of a pioneering initiative set to transform the region’s approach to airborne infections and pandemic readiness. This milestone took place in Vientiane, Laos.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS
  • The Airborne Infection Defense Platform (AIDP) was officially launched.
  • The platform focuses on strengthening tuberculosis response and overall pandemic preparedness.
  • It is supported by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Stop TB Partnership and Stop TB Partnership Indonesia with the endorsement of ASEAN member states.
THE AIDP: A RESPONSE TO URGENT HEALTH CHALLENGES

The AIDP emerges as a critical solution to address the growing threat of airborne respiratory infections across ASEAN.

With more than 2.4 million people affected by tuberculosis in the region, and five ASEAN countries on the WHO’s high burden tuberculosis list, the need for a coordinated response has never been more pressing.

  • In Malaysia, there were 26,781 cases in 2023, a 5.47% increase from 2022.
  • In the ASEAN region, there was an estimated increase of nearly 500,000 additional deaths from 2020 to 2022 due to COVID-19 disruptions.

The AIDP aims to:

  • Enhance cooperation among ASEAN member states,
  • Agree on policies and methodologies.
  • Exchange learnings and resources.
  • Create surge capacity for tuberculosis cases.
  • Improve overall pandemic preparedness.

The objectives would be carried out via a two-phase approach:

  • Landscape assessment. Evaluate the current capacities of 10 ASEAN countries.
  • Strengthening initiatives. Support community-based and primary health care activities

The AIDP will utilize cutting-edge technologies such as:

  • Portable digital X-rays.
  • Rapid molecular diagnostic platforms.
  • Real-time digital surveillance tools.
A VISION FOR A RESILIENT HEALTH SYSTEM

His Excellency Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, Minister of Health of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, emphasized the importance of learning from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We must create a stronger and more resilient system. The TB program has several management principles that can be easily adopted for any airborne disease. We need to invest in platform technologies and create infrastructure that can be deployed for future airborne pandemics,” he said.

Professor Tjandra Yoga Aditama MD, the Stop TB Partnership Indonesia Senior Advisor and AIDP Project Lead, stressed the importance of regional cooperation: “The condition of tuberculosis in ASEAN is quite concerning. This demonstrates the importance of working with ASEAN to strengthen the TB response system to not only create surge capacity for TB cases but also enhance pandemic preparedness.”

Additionally, Dr Suvanand Sahu, the Deputy Executive Director of the Stop TB Partnership, highlighted the project’s potential impact. “The first phase will improve understanding by carrying out a landscape assessment across 10 ASEAN countries. Our second phase will support initiatives to strengthen the preparedness capacity of TB responses across ASEAN,” he said.

His Excellency Dr Teodoro Herbosa, the incoming Stop TB Partnership Board Chairman, added that investing in tackling one airborne infection, such as tuberculosis, is an investment into tackling all airborne infections.

The launch of the AIDP marks a significant step forward in ASEAN’s commitment to public health and pandemic preparedness. As the region continues to grapple with the challenges posed by airborne infections, this innovative platform offers hope for a more resilient and responsive health system.

UKM Faculty of Medicine Hosts Inaugural Congress of Medicine and Health 2024

WORDS DR HARDIP SINGH GENDEH

FEATURED EXPERT
DR HARDIP SINGH GENDEH
Lecturer and Specialist Ear, Nose & Throat Surgeon
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
Faculty of Medicine
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

The Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) successfully held the 1st Congress of Medicine and Health (CoMedH) 2024 on June 22nd and 23rd, 2024, at the Marriott Putrajaya Hotel.

The congress, themed Medical Advances in Science and Health, aimed to bridge the gap and integrate pre-clinical research with clinical practice. It promoted UKM’s core principles, termed TERAS: sharpening Talent, adhering to research Ethics, Revitalizing research abilities, developing Agile researchers, and sustaining an inquisitive Soul.

INAUGURATION AND KEY ATTENDEES

Professor Dato’ Dr Hanafiah Harunarashid, Pro Vice Chancellor of the UKM Kuala Lumpur Campus, inaugurated the debut congress. He emphasized the importance of molecular biology, such as genomics and stem cells, in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

The event was patronized by Professor Dr Abdul Halim Abdul Gafor, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs) of UKM. The organising committee received a congratulatory message from Professor Datin Dr Marina Mat Baki, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine UKM who was on a Hajj Pilgrimage.

Key attendees at the opening ceremony included:

  • Professor Dr Mohamad Nasir Shafie (Deputy Dean of Research and Innovation and Congress Advisor)
  • Professor Datin Dr Norlinah Mohamed Ibrahim (Deputy Dean of Postgraduate Studies)
  • Associate Professor Dr Ruslinda Mustafar (Assistant Dean of Clinical Services)
  • Associate Professor Dr Noor Akmal Shareela Ismail (Assistant Dean of Teaching and CITRA)
  • Associate Professor Dr Mohd Helmy Mokhtar (Assistant Dean of Entrepreneurship)
  • Associate Professor Dr Elena Aisha Azizan (Congress Chairperson)
  • Associate Professor Dr Adli Ali (Congress Vice Chairperson)
CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABLE HEALTHCARE

In a plenary session titled Healthy Hospital, Healthy Planet: Integrating Sustainability into Healthcare Facilities, Professor Dato’ Dr Hanafiah highlighted that climate change has altered the landscape of diseases worldwide. He stressed the need for long-term sustainable efforts to keep our planet healthy.

The session also showcased UKM’s plans for a Health Technopolis, based on four key principles:

  1. Cutting-edge innovation
  2. Bench to bedside research
  3. Service excellence
  4. Sustainability

UKM’s sustainable initiatives include rooftop solar solutions, low-energy equipment, green premises, improved waste management, electric vehicles, zero plastics, green procurement, and better management of carbon footprints.

CONGRESS HIGHLIGHT

The congress was divided into two tracks:

  • Clinical track, represented by clinical researchers and specialists in respective fields of medicine.
  • Medical sciences track, represented by researchers and lecturers from the pre-clinical division.

Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr Raymond Azman Ali, a senior consultant neurologist at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), delivered the keynote speech. He spoke on ‘A Multidisciplinary Approach to Epilepsy Management Strategies’, highlighting the variation in epilepsy presentations and the latest evidence-based strategies for treating epilepsy patients.

AWARDS AND INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION

The congress offered several awards, including the Clinical Investigator Award and Basic Science Investigator Award.

A successful networking session between UKM and Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) took place, led by Associate Professor Dr Elena Aisha Azizan from UKM and Professor Richard Grose from QMUL. This session fostered potential research collaborations, sabbatical visits, and fellowship initiatives between the two universities.

The Young Scientist Clinicians Network (YSCN) hosted a plenary on industrial engagement and Young Scientist Network-Academy of Sciences Malaysia membership benefits.

FOSTERING RESEARCH AND COLLABORATION

The congress successfully gathered young researchers from the fields of medicine and health sciences from the Faculty of Medicine and research institutions throughout Malaysia. Several biotechnology and health companies participated by displaying their services via booths.

The event provided a platform for young researchers and scientists to present their work, promoted networking among pre-clinical and clinical researchers, and strengthened the Faculty of Medicine’s contributions to UKM as a research university. It also enhanced UKM’s narrative of Watan, which involves developing local researchers and scientists with inclusiveness of all backgrounds, while enhancing understanding of good clinical and research practices.