The government has recently approved a review on general practitioners’ (GPs) consultation fees, with doctors calling for a minimum charge of RM50, saying the adjustment is long overdue.
Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Datuk Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira said the association has been in talks with the Health Ministry regarding the fee revision.
GP consultation fees revision long overdue
MMA is proposing a minimum consultation fee of RM60, leaving the upper limit to be determined by studies conducted by the National Action Council on Cost of Living (NACCOL).
This has been an issue which MMA has been strongly advocating for. We also wish to thank the Health Minister and the Health Ministry for its decision to defer deliberations on Medicine Price Display until the private GP fees are increased and gazetted for implementation.
Dr Kalwinder pointed out that the regulated fee range of RM10 to RM35 has remained unchanged for 33 years, despite rising costs and inflation.
It is important to note that the current RM10 to RM35 consultation fee range was originally proposed by MMA in 1992 before being incorporated into the 7th fee schedule of the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act (PHFSA) Act 586 in 2006,” he said in a statement.
Many GPs have been struggling with increased operational costs, including rental, staff wages, medicines, and medical equipment.
Some have even closed their clinics due to financial strain.
Calls for periodic fee adjustments
Dr Kalwinder urged the government to set fixed, periodic adjustments for consultation fees, suggesting a 10% increase every three years to keep up with inflation.
Former Medical Practitioners Coalition Association of Malaysia president Dr Raj Kumar Maharajah also stressed that the revision was long overdue.
“Back in 1992, I wasn’t even in medical school. Now, after 25 years as a doctor, we are finally getting a fee increase,” he said.
He dismissed concerns that higher consultation fees would significantly impact overall medical costs, emphasizing that hospital charges, diagnostics, and medication are the main contributors to rising healthcare expenses.
Ensure a fair & sustainable adjustment
He said strengthening the private GP sector as the first point of care will also help reduce overall healthcare costs by improving patient referrals and minimising unnecessary hospital visits.
The call for this review by MMA and all GPs is not about imposing a sudden price hike but ensuring a fair and sustainable adjustment that reflects the reality of operating costs while maintaining affordability for patients,” he explained.
“As a point of comparison, the government had set the consultation fees for Medical Officers (MO) in private hospital emergency departments at between RM30 to RM125 in 2013.
“In 2015, MOH acknowledged that GP consultation fees should be aligned with this range, yet implementation was delayed due to non-technical reasons and never implemented,” said Dr Kalwinder Singh.
Health Minister: Announcement expected before May
According to The Vibes, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad confirmed that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has approved the revision under Schedule 7 of the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act.
The government is in the final stages of discussion with relevant agencies, and an official announcement is expected before May. NACCOL has also agreed to the revision.
The proposed fee increase aims to help private clinics remain financially sustainable while ensuring continued access to affordable primary healthcare for the public.
