PUTRAJAYA, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Health (MOH) will continue to closely monitor developments and hold engagement sessions with all stakeholders, including health service providers, insurers and professional bodies, to ensure that clinical governance is upheld.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Mahathar Abd Wahab said the ministry viewed seriously any practice that could compromise clinical independence or patient safety in the private healthcare sector.
“While cost efficiency is an important consideration in health financing, it should never supersede the professional judgment of registered medical practitioners or the patient’s right to treatment based on complete information and consent.
“Decisions regarding anaesthesia, treatment methods and hospital admissions must always be based on clinical needs and ethical standards, not administrative directives or financial considerations,” he said in a statement today.
Without citing any specific case, Dr Mahathar reminded all stakeholders that Sections 82 and 83 of the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 [Act 586] clearly set out the principles and legal protection to ensure that clinical judgement remains free from external influence.
“Any matter that undermines the authority of medical practitioners in managing patients or pressures them to act against professional ethics is not only unacceptable but may also be deemed to contravene the provisions of the law.
“Imposing conditions for the approval of guarantee letters, issuing any form of directive, business arrangement or contractual term, or setting reimbursement based on predetermined clinical options is considered a violation of this principle,” he said.
He also called on all parties to respect professional boundaries and prioritise patient welfare over administrative or financial interests, in line with the MADANI values of well-being, respect and compassion.
--BERNAMA
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