By Zaf Seraj – March 14, 2025 @ 8:26pm
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) hopes that consultation fees for general practitioners will be increased to at least RM60, up from the current rates, which range from RM10 to RM35.
Its president, Datuk Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira, said this figure would be appropriate and fair, given the rising costs and inflation over the past 33 years, during which the rates have remained unchanged.
“For years, many general practitioners have struggled with operational costs, including rental, staff wages, medicines, medical equipment, and regulatory compliance, all of which have significantly increased over this period.
“Many clinics have closed down due to these challenges in sustaining their operations,” he said.
He said the ceiling rate for consultation fees should be based on studies conducted by the National Cost of Living Action Council (NACCOL) under the Department of Statistics Malaysia.
MMA is also grateful that the government will announce the new rates before May 1, as the association has been actively engaging with the authorities to revise the fees over the past few months.
“We hope the quantum of the consultation fee increase will be decided and announced soon by the government.
“While considering factors such as the cost of living and public opinion, the new rates should also be fair to GPs and reflect their current challenges.
“It is also important that, moving forward, fixed periodic adjustments of 10 per cent every three years are implemented to keep pace with inflation,” he said.
Yesterday, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the revision of consultation fees under the Seventh Schedule of the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 should have been updated alongside Schedule 13, which was implemented in the first quarter of 2019.
The Health Ministry is in the final stagesfinal stages of discussions to determine the appropriate updated fee for general practitioners.
Dr Kalwinder also urged the government to review its decision to use the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 to regulate the display of medicine prices.
He argued that the practice of medicine should not fall under two separate laws.
He said enforcement of such directives should be solely under the purview of the Health Ministry.
“Clinics provide professional services and are already governed by the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998.
“They should not be treated the same way as retail outlets in this enforcement process,” he said.
Earlier, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali announced that the ministry will issue an order mandating the display mandating the display of medicine prices beginning May 1.
