Scheme to Retain Specialists in Govt Hospitals

By Sushma Veera

PATIENTS seeking treatment from specialists at government hospitals will be able to choose their own doctor provided they pay under the Full Paying Patients Scheme, which takes effect on Jan 1.

Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon said patients had to wait their turn to see any available specialists.

“Under the scheme, specialists will have their own list of patients, which they can attend to after normal working hours,” he said.

Lee was elaborating on the scheme – a move to retain medical specialists at government hospitals – as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday during his Budget 2008 speech.

Lee said apart from stopping specialists from moving to private hospitals, the scheme would also boost revenue and increase the income of specialists.

He added that the scheme is already in place at Selayang and Putrajaya hospitals from Sept 1 as pilot projects.

“We need to fine-tune some issues before it is implemented at all government hospitals next year,” he said, adding that the issues include finance, work schedule and etiquette.

Lee said the ministry had prepared the fee schedule for specialists.

Malaysian Medical Association president Datuk Dr Khoo Kah Lin said: “With the scheme, more doctors, especially specialists, will continue to serve at government hospitals.

“Compared to private hospitals, the fees would be far more affordable and the level of medical care in the country will rise.”

Khoo said those who can’t afford to pay but require treatment from specialists should not be overlooked.

“Welfare Department offices at government hospitals should look into such cases,” he said.

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