Malaysian Medical Council: eKesihatan Scheme introduced too hastily

The Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) is the latest medical body to voice concern about the legitimacy of the eKesihatan scheme, saying that it had been introduced too hastily and raised various ethical issues.  

Its president Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said yesterday that proper consultation with the Health Ministry and other medically relevant professional bodies should have been done. 

This was because the new scheme seemed to place restrictions on the duties and responsibilities of a medical practitioner by dictating who a vehicle driver could consult and whose findings would not be accepted by the Road Transport Department (JPJ). 

In a strongly worded statement, he said the MMC had the exclusive right to register medical practitioners in the country under the Medical Act. 

Once registered and possessing the annual practising certificate, the practitioner had the “sole prerogative” to examine, diagnose, investigate and treat within the parameters of his training and legal framework.  

Any certificate, notification, report or document signed by the practitioner was evidence that he actually examined the person, he said.  

“As the custodian of medical practice in this country, the council is very concerned with any move to place any restrictions or conditions on the practice of any registered practitioner,” he said.  

Source: The Star

 

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Najib says Government will adopt system if it leads to efficient, transparent, responsible financial management

The Government is ready to adopt any new system that could lead to a more efficient, transparent and responsible financial management of the various ministries, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said. 

“The Government will support the proposed system if it can bring about the desired changes provided an objective and transparent assessment is conducted. 

“If the ministries and officers in charge of the ministries are to be assessed, the system must be one that will not raise any doubts,” he told reporters after handing over contributions to mosque and surau representatives in Pekan constituency here yesterday. 

…

Asked if the system should be extended to state governments as suggested by Ambrin, Najib said the Government had no problem with that. 

Bernama reported from Johor Baru that the Auditor-General’s move to introduce the accountability index for all ministries and state governments beginning next year was appropriate but needed further study before implementation. 

Source: The Star

 

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Chan Kong Choy does not have the details of eKesihatan

The new eKesihatan scheme was introduced to plug loopholes in the current system, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said. 

He said the system, which would be phased out by the end of this month, had many leakages including chits being falsified. 

“A lot of commercial vehicle drivers, including express bus drivers, are unfit to drive and even drug addicts are able to drive due to weaknesses in the current system,” he said. 

…

On the negative reaction from various parties on the scheme, Chan said the Road Transport Department (JPJ) has been asked to hold dialogues and meetings with those involved. 

Asked why JPJ wanted the doctors involved in the scheme to register with a private company, Chan said: “I don’t think they are registering the doctors.” 

He said what was required was for clinics to become part of the panel. 

On the third party company being given the right to operate the new system, Chan said: “I don’t have the details.” 

Source: The Star

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