I REFER to Dr John Teo’s letter, “Act unfair to doctors” (The Star, March 28).

The PHFSA (Private Healthcare and Facilities Act) was created in 1993 at the urging of consumer associations as they claimed they often handled complaints from the public on poor services provided by private hospitals and clinics.

But they were told that the Health Ministry’s hands were tied.

This is untrue.

The Medical Act 1971 is very clear, especially in trying to apprehend bogus doctors.

Doctors wanting to practise in Malaysia must have graduated from a recognised university, must have registration with the Malaysian Medical Council and must posses a valid Annual Practicing Certificate.

Anyone not complying is a fraudulent or unlicensed doctor and is liable for a fine or jail term of two years or more.

The Medical Act 1971 is in itself comprehensive.

But what was absent was enforcement.

One of the bizarre edicts of the new law was that it applied only to private doctors but not to government ones.

Among others, private practitioners will need to work in specified clinic conditions, pay a suspicious registration fee of RM1,500 and buy medical equipment they may never use.

The Act was passed in parliament despite the objections by MMA presidents.

The recent elections have shown that the Government must pay attention if unfair laws are proposed or are being promulgated.

This country must not exchange democracy for the rule of little Napoleans as the de facto method of governance in the civil service.

The PHFSA must be repealed.

ZARIM KAMARUL,
Shah Alam.

Source: The Star – March 29, 2008