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).

IMU University Rebrands & Expands Programme Repertoire on Its 32nd Birthday

IMU University (formerly known as International Medical University) takes a bold, confident step into the future, unveiling a strategic, inclusive new brand and direction that is aligned with the One Health concept espoused by the World Health Organization (WHO).

CHAMPIONING BROAD & INCLUSIVE INTERPRETATION OF HEALTH

One Health champions a broader and more inclusive interpretation of health, recognizing close links and mutual relationships that exist between humans, animals and ecosystems. In doing so, it champions greater collaboration and coordination between various fields in the face of emerging diseases, and aims to address the role of human activities in climate change.

In this same spirit, IMU University will expand its repertoire of programmes to encompass additional educational streams, including non-science and animal health streams, which support the broader interpretation of One Health.

PROFESSOR GERARD GEORGE
Group Managing Director
IMU University

“In our interconnected world, healthcare cannot exist in a vacuum. Adopting a more holistic approach to education, we embrace the growing diversity within healthcare to offer our students a wider range of learning and career opportunities in disciplines such as business, technology, and social sciences. In doing so, we aim to nurture future professionals, scholars, policy makers and industry leaders who are purpose-driven to make a positive impact on the future of healthcare,” says Prof Gerard George, the Group Managing Director of IMU University.

THE FIRST AND FOREMOST MALAYSIAN PRIVATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY TO FORGE NEW MILESTONES

This rebranding marks the next step moving into the institution’s 32nd year as Malaysia’s first and most established private medical and health sciences university. Since its inception, IMU University has continually pushed the boundaries of excellence, growing from a private medical university to attain self-accreditation status from the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).

In MQA’s most recent review, IMU University was ranked among the country’s top 8 institutions and its reputation is further secured by receiving SETARA’s highest accolade for the third consecutive time.

As a nod to these achievements, IMU University retains key elements of its brand logo to demonstrate the institution’s continuity, with the distinctive Rod of Asclepius as testament to its enduring legacy in healthcare while the globe represents its continued ambition to nurture leaders of international calibre through world-class educators, dynamic innovation and collaborative global partnerships.

“Our established presence and experience in healthcare education makes IMU University a strategic choice for those seeking to gain a broad understanding of interdisciplinary skills and knowledge that are relevant to the healthcare ecosystem, for a more fulfilling and impactful career,” explains Prof Gerard.

With this forward-thinking rebranding, IMU University demonstrates agility and continuing commitment to champion health equity and quality of life for a better world through excellence in education, research, and innovation. Together with its renewed focus on sustainability, health equity, and global citizenship, the institution aims to pave the way forward, towards its goal to rank among the global top 500 universities.

For more information about IMU University, visit www.imu.edu.my (links open in a new tab).

This is a press statement from IMU University. It has been edited for clarity.