Rationalise rates of rise

Since private medical fees had not been adjusted for 12 years, the adjustment is indeed
necessary. However, the skyrocketed rise has immediately triggered panic among consumers.
For instance, the consultation fees for general practitioner increased from the range of !1"#
!$% to a new range of !$"#!12%, while the ma&imum specialist consultation fees
nearly doubled the previous cap of !12% to !2$%.
!eanwhile, fees for medical procedures increased between 1'#1().
*he rise of medical fees might add weight to the already heavy burden of life. !edical
treatment is relatively important compared to other aspects of life. +n the face of food price,
transportation fee and electricity tariff hikes, the people could still reduce the burden through
reducing consumption or changing lifestyle. However, when they fall sick, there is no way to
escape and medical treatment is the only option.
!any people would not be able to afford medical treatment after the massive rise and the
misery it brings is e&pected to be severe.
,f course, the people could seek treatment in general hospitals. However, general hospitals
are unable to cope with the huge demand. *hey have been distant from meeting the demand
in terms of medical personnel and e-uipment.
*he scarcity must be filled by private clinics and hospitals. .ven low#income earners would
first seek treatment in private clinics and transfer later to general hospitals only when they are
diagnosed with some kind of long#term illness or serious disease.
*herefore, private clinics are needed while private hospitals have become increasingly
popular among the general public.
!alaysian !edical /ssociation should take into account the affordability of most people
when proposing the fee adjustment. ,f course, we understand that the fees have not been
adjusted for long and thus, the incomes of many doctors have been affected, while many
clinics have failed to survive. 0espite the adjustment is reasonable, it must also take social
responsibility into account, instead of skyrocketing the rise until most patients cannot even
afford it.
/s the regulatory department, the Health !inistry must cautiously handle the issue, consider
the need of the society as a whole and carefully assess the people1s affordability, instead of
just pandering to the demands of medical professionals.
,nce the rise losses control, it would not only increase the people1s burden, but also cause
patients unable to afford treatments. +f that happens, public clinics and general hospitals
would be unable to cope with the huge demands. +t would eventually lead to a big loophole in
the overall health care system.
+n addition, fee charges of private clinics and hospitals must be transparent and itemised bills
are necessary. 2ague and additional charges are unfair to consumers.
+n the long run, the government should establish a comprehensive national health system,
including introducing a medical insurance policy, effectively using public resources in
people1s health need, rationalising medical fees and increasing the -uality of medical care.