MMA proposes primary healthcare commission to address outpatient needs

LETTER | The series of events culminating in an incident at a Klinik Kesihatan recently reflects the challenges of providing primary medical care by the government.

The system is underfunded leading to dire consequences of overworked doctors and understaffed healthcare facilities. 

Many doctors and nurses are overwhelmed with the excessive burden of unmanageable high patient load. There is also inadequate primary care clinics and even consultation rooms to cater for all the patients.

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) proposes that a primary health care commission by the government be set up to study ways in which to improve and revamp the service provision. 

Working with about 7,000 Health Ministry's trained general practitioners will also decongest the outpatients and green zone of public health facilities. 

On the same note, the public must be prepared to pay and invest more in our healthcare systems to close the gaps so that the increasingly complex healthcare needs of all can be met.

The MMA notes with regret the recent outburst at a public health facility. The reaction of the doctor was highlighted but the action that led to his reaction should also be investigated.

We wish to remind all doctors that professional standards must be maintained at all times more so in a situation of high stress.

On the same token, patients and the public must be made aware of the extremely challenging work environment doctors face daily in providing medical service. 

Viral videos or postings on social media that do not reflect the whole situation in its entirety is unfair and can be seen as defamatory.

We urge the public who have grievances towards the medical care they receive to give feedback in a constructive manner and through the official channels so that we can work towards the betterment of the system together.

The writer is president of the Malaysian Medical Association. 

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.