LETTER | Covid-19 should not be viewed as a commercial opportunity

LETTER | The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) is deeply concerned about the way certain parties are taking advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic for commercial gain.

Manufacturers, suppliers and service providers must be responsible in the marketing, sales and distribution of essential items and services and comply with existing laws.

MMA has observed that of late, "middlemen" unrelated to the healthcare sector are taking advantage of the Covid-19 situation with the commercialising of Covid-19 screening.

The screenings are openly advertised online and we do not see any action being taken by the authorities.

Previous reports made on certain screenings that were done without observing proper protocols have fallen on deaf ears.

There are existing laws to control and regulate medical screenings for infectious diseases, but what is the point of having these laws if they are not being enforced?

It is shocking how the advertising of some of these commercialised screenings have been allowed without proper protocols in screening being followed.

The majority of the public, who are unfamiliar with these stringent protocols would be more attracted to the lower pricing without being aware of any compromises in the quality of care.

Healthcare is highly regulated. The Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act (PHFSA)-registered clinics and their doctors are required to comply with stringent SOPs to even get the approval for screening, triaging booths and onsite samplings.

The Covid-19 crisis should not be seen as an opportunity to make money or increase revenue profile while compromising on patient safety and quality in services provided.

Healthcare should not be treated as a commodity, where the focus is on bottom line profits.

There were also reports that pooling of samples was being done while conducting RT-PCR tests by providers who may be price undercutting while compromising on the quality in conducting these tests.

Since the sampling method for RT-PCR and Antigen Rapid Test Kits (a cheaper alternative) are the same, are the "Gold Standard" RT-PCR tests actually being done? And who conducts an audit on these tests?

We urge the Health Ministry to make public, all their audits on laboratories and on how the tests are being conducted.

The Pathology Laboratory Act 2007 passed 13 years ago, should have been gazetted by now.

MMA reminds all medical practitioners to maintain the highest level of ethics and professionalism in their practice as there are legal implications should there be any compromise in the quality of care.

Dr N Ganabaskaran is the 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.