Malaysian Medical Association calls for action against unethical doctors, review on roles of TPAs

KUCHING (Aug 4): The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has called for appropriate action to be taken against doctors committing fraud in the Madani Medical Scheme and review on the role of third party administrators (TPAs) in the healthcare ecosystem.

MMA president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz said they would not allow actions of some unethical doctors to tarnish the good reputation of the dedicated majority serving the people.

“MMA acknowledges the recent parliamentary reply by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad regarding the Madani Medical Scheme and we appreciate his transparency in addressing the concerns raised.

“We take a serious view of these upsetting revelations and support action being taken against any doctors found to be involved in unethical practices,” she said in a statement yesterday.

Dr Azizan stressed that the actions of some doctors should not tarnish the reputation of the majority of the dedicated general practitioners (GPs) who had been serving their communities with integrity.

According to her, the vast majority of GPs in Malaysia are committed to providing high-quality care and upholding the highest ethical standards.

“MMA stands in strong support of these professionals who form the backbone of the country’s primary healthcare system.

“While we do not condone any form of misconduct, it is crucial to recognise these instances are isolated and are not representative of the broader medical community,” she said.

Dr Azizan pledged MMA would continue to advocate for stringent ethical practices and support measures to ensure accountability within the healthcare system.

She also called for greater transparency and data-sharing to help identify areas for improvement and enable informed decision-making to enhance healthcare delivery.

“MMA remains committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to address any issues and improve the overall healthcare system,” she said.

In addition, she pointed out that it was important for the Senate members to address the role of TPAs in the healthcare system.

“TPAs often act as middlemen, contributing to escalating healthcare costs through practices such as fee-splitting.”

Given this, she said a thorough review of the TPAs in the healthcare ecosystem as well as its impact on the cost and efficiency of healthcare delivery was necessary to ensure that the resources would be used effectively and that patients would receive the best possible care.

“It is also pertinent to question why the functioning of ProtectHealth Corporation (PhCorp) as a TPA or Managed Care Organisation has not been scrutinised, especially given that PhCorp is not under the Health Ministry’s registry of TPAs.

“Transparency and accountability in all aspects of healthcare administration are crucial for maintaining public trust and ensuring optimal use of resources,” she said.

Dr Azizan said MMA reaffirmed its dedication to maintaining the highest standards of care, ensuring patient safety and promoting transparency within the healthcare system.

“We believe through collective effort and commitment, we can overcome challenges and continue to strive for excellence in healthcare delivery for all Malaysians.”