GPs feeling financial strain

The Star

22-05-2025

PETALING JAYA: Some general practitioners (GPs) may have to raise their fees if the issue of long-standing consultation fees are not resolved.
Federation of Private Medical Practitioners' Associations Mal­ay­sia president Dr Shanmuga­nathan Ganeson said clinics have incurred regulatory charges following the medicine price display order, so patients may notice some adjustments in their clinic bills.
'These changes reflect operational realities – rising costs for staffing, utilities, compliance with regulations and supplies – that have been absorbed by clinics for many years. This is not about introducing a new charge but rather making existing components more transparent.
'Some GPs are reviewing how best to structure their billing, guided by their respective state associations,' he added.
A fee hike, he said, would depend largely on the revisions made to the consultation fees.
'Currently, an announcement from the Health Ministry on an updated Schedule 7 GP consultation fee is awaited. We hope for a fair update to help clinics remain sustainable,' he added.
'If the fee change is good, I think most will forgo these additional, though essential, charges.'
He said GPs will likely maintain their charges if the revised consultation fee is good unless they incur high rental or overhead costs.
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At least three GPs surveyed by The Star expressed intention to raise fees by factoring in costs.
A GP in Penang, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he is considering imposing service charges to cover costs.
'There are talks among practitioners in the state about introducing new fees. I am also consi­dering it. It could be a service fee or facility fee; we'll see how it goes. The government should really look at providing us with a comfortable rate for consultation fees,' he said.
Another GP, based in Kuala Lumpur, has started charging an extra RM10.
'I have to factor in the cost of putting up screens for the price display. But if this is not addressed soon, I am sure more GPs will have to raise their fees,' he said.
Former president of the Medical Practitioners Coalition Associa­tion of Malaysia Dr Raj Kumar Maharajah said officially, there are no talks on imposing new fees, but there have been 'some rumblings on the ground by GPs who feel the noose is getting tighter around their necks as costs of living have gone up'.
This has made it difficult for these clinics to sustain, especially in bigger towns, he said.
'GP practices in Malaysia have been around since pre-independence days and we have always provided accessible and affordable treatment to our patients.
'You will never find this kind of unique treatment facility anywhere in the world,' he added.
Previously, doctors' groups had called for the consultation fees, which have stagnated at RM35 since 1992, to be revised to RM50-RM60.
CodeBlue quoted the Penang Medical Practitioners Society as saying the group would meet in one or two weeks to set the range of a new service fee it plans to recom­mend for private general practitioners and specialist clinics run by solo practitioners in the state.
The Malaysian Pharmacists Society had also called for dispensing and professional fees for pharmacists.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said on May 4 that the issue is expected to be resolved soon.
'I have prepared the documents, so I expect to resolve this within one month at the latest,' he was quoted as saying.
The Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking for Drugs) order, which mandates private healthcare players to display medicine prices, came into effect on May 1.