KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 8 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Health (MOH) is reviewing several amendments to the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586) to broaden its regulatory powers, particularly regarding overcharging at private hospitals.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the move is crucial, noting that medical cost inflation and healthcare utilisation also involve the Ministry of Finance, through Bank Negara Malaysia and the insurance sector.
"We are studying appropriate amendments to extend Act 586’s scope of regulation. Besides consultation fees, we intend to cover several other charges as well to control healthcare inflation," he said during the oral question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara today.
He was responding to an additional question from Senator Dr R A Lingeswaran, who asked about the government's steps to amend Act 586 to immediately regulate non-professional charges.
Earlier, in response to an additional question from Senator Datuk Seri S Vell Paari regarding protection against overcharging by private hospitals, Lukanisman explained that Act 586 only regulates consultation and procedural fees, not medicine or equipment costs.
He highlighted that MOH received 817 complaints last year and issued fines related to 188 charges, comprising consultation fees (70), procedural charges (48), and medicine costs (25), with the remaining cases falling under the ministry’s regulatory framework.
He said members of the public who are overcharged on consultation fees can submit complaints via the MOH website or contact the Private Medical Practice Control Division (CKAPS).
“Private facilities that fail to comply with the fee schedule under Act 586 can face action, including warning letters or fines under Subsection 106(4).
“If convicted, the maximum fine is RM5,000 for a sole proprietor and RM15,000 for organisations, corporations, partnerships, or associations. A show-cause notice for licence cancellation may also be issued in appropriate cases,” he added.
-- BERNAMA
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