Latest news with #Medical(Amendment)Act2024
The Star
15-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Trainee specialists to receive full allowance
PETALING JAYA: Doctors undergoing supervised work experience (SWE) following their specialist training will now be entitled to full specialist allowances under a new incentive introduced by the Health Ministry. The ministry announced in a statement that the rollout of the Pre-Gazette Specialist Incentive Payment (BIPPW), which ensures that doctors performing specialist-level duties during the mandatory SWE period receive the same financial incentives as fully gazetted specialists. This initiative is in line with the Medical (Amendment) Act 2024, which came into effect on July 1. The BIPPW will be granted immediately upon a doctor's entry into SWE, a transitional stage after completing specialist training, during which they are supervised by senior specialists to assess their clinical competence. The incentive mirrors the existing Specialist Incentive Payment (BIP), offering rates between RM1,900 and RM2,800, depending on the officer's grade (UD/UG10 to UD/UG14). Previously, under the old gazettement process, medical officers only became eligible for BIP after being formally registered as specialists. The restructured framework now streamlines this transition, offering uninterrupted financial recognition for those already working at a specialist level. The ministry said the incentive reflects its commitment to safeguarding the welfare of public healthcare professionals and ensuring continuity in patient care. It also noted that the new legal framework helps address longstanding issues related to specialist recognition and registration under the National Specialist Register (NSR), particularly in fields such as cardiothoracic surgery, family medicine, plastic surgery and general pathology. Meanwhile, the Malaysian Medical Association's Section Concerning House Officers, Medical Officers and Specialists (MMA Schomos) welcomed the announcement, saying it alleviated concerns that existing specialist allowances might be reduced under the revised gazettement process. 'We take note of the assurance that the specialist allowance will not be reduced in any way under the new NSR-SWE-gazettement model, but is now rebranded as the BIPPW. We are thankful,' the group said in a Facebook post. MMA Schomos also renewed its call for the introduction of a dedicated allowance for subspecialists, stressing the importance of fairly rewarding and retaining highly-trained professionals in advanced medical fields.
The Sun
14-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Medical officers to receive BIPPW payment during SWE
PUTRAJAYA: The government has approved the Pre-Gazette Specialist Incentive Payment (BIPPW) for medical officers undergoing Supervised Work Experience (SWE) after specialist training. This move ensures financial recognition during their probationary period. SWE is a mandatory phase where medical officers refine their skills under senior supervision before full specialist recognition. The Ministry of Health (MOH) stated that BIPPW aligns with the Medical (Amendment) Act 2024, effective since July 1. 'The BIPPW payment begins once SWE starts. Previously, officers only received the Specialist Incentive Payment (BIP) after gazettement,' MOH explained. The payment rate matches BIP, based on the officer's grade (Grades 10 to 14). This incentive acknowledges the workload and responsibilities of medical officers during SWE, where they perform specialist-level duties. It also enhances personnel welfare and service quality. Act A1729 now regulates all local specialist training programmes. Medical practitioners in cardiothoracic surgery, family medicine, plastic surgery, and generic pathology can now seek registration as promised earlier this year. MOH reassures officers that SWE participants will receive entitled allowances without delays. The ministry remains committed to strengthening healthcare and encourages continuous contributions to public well-being. - Bernama
The Star
02-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Dzul: Amendments beefed up medical profession
PETALING JAYA: The enforcement of the Medical Regulations (Amendment) 2025 and Medical (Amendment) Act 2024 (Act A1729) came into force yesterday. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad ( pic ) said this significant achievement is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen governance, transparency and inclusiveness in the medical profession. 'The amendment to the Medical Regulations provides the necessary legal framework to implement the provisions of the amended Act. 'It creates a clear and consistent path for the recognition and registration of specialists trained through the parallel pathway programme and local specialist training. 'The amendment clarifies the role and responsibilities of the Malaysian Medical Council in ensuring that all practitioners with certain qualifications are assessed fairly and transparently,' he said in a statement. Dzulkefly also said the membership of the council have been strengthened to be more equitable in terms of its composition in accordance with the current status of the health workforce.
The Sun
01-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
New medical law reforms take effect in Malaysia to boost governance
PUTRAJAYA: The Medical (Amendment) Act 2024 and Medical (Amendment) Regulations 2025 officially came into force today, marking a major step in the Ministry of Health's (MOH) push for improved governance and transparency in the medical sector. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad stated that the amendments create a structured legal framework for specialist recognition, particularly for those trained under the Parallel Pathway and local Master of Medicine programmes. 'It establishes a clear and consistent pathway for the recognition and registration of specialists trained through the Parallel Pathway and the local Master of Medicine programme. These changes also clarify the roles and responsibilities of the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) in ensuring that all specialist qualifications are evaluated fairly and transparently,' he said. The reforms also aim to strengthen the MMC's structure, ensuring balanced representation that reflects the current healthcare workforce, especially in the public sector. Dzulkefly highlighted that the amendments provide a solid legal foundation for local specialist training programmes, ensuring structured recognition and administration. This move resolves uncertainties for specialists awaiting registration, allowing them to serve the public more effectively. 'It also ensures equitable access to high-quality specialist care and strengthens public confidence, as all specialists serving in the healthcare system are held to the same competency standards regardless of the training route,' he added. The minister reaffirmed MOH's commitment to stakeholder engagement and continuous reforms to maintain a resilient and inclusive healthcare system. The amendments follow the Cabinet's approval on June 5 last year to revise the Medical Act 1971, addressing specialist registration issues. Parliament passed the amendments on July 17, 2024.
The Star
01-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Amendments to Medical Regulations and Act come into force today
PETALING JAYA: Effective Tuesday (July 1), the enforcement of the Medical Regulations (Amendment) 2025 and the Medical (Amendment) Act 2024 [Act A1729] has officially commenced. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad stated that this significant achievement is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen governance, transparency, and inclusiveness in the country's medical profession. "The amendment to the Medical Regulations provides the necessary legal framework to implement the provisions of the amended Act. It creates a clear and consistent path for the recognition and registration of specialists trained through the Parallel Pathway programme and local specialist training. "The amendment clarifies the role and responsibilities of the Malaysian Medical Council (MPM) in ensuring that all practitioners with certain qualifications are assessed fairly and transparently," he said in a statement. He also noted that the structure and membership of the MPM have been strengthened to be more equitable in terms of its composition, in accordance with the current status of the health workforce, particularly in the public sector. Additionally, the amendment provides a strong legal basis for all local specialist training programmes to ensure they are recognised and administered more systematically. This, Dzulkefly pointed out, would enable specialists who were previously in limbo to be assessed and registered, thereby serving the people better. Apart from that, the amendment would increase access to high-quality specialist care and strengthen public confidence as all specialists serving in the health system are assessed against consistent standards of competence regardless of their training pathway. "The ministry's management and I will continue to engage with stakeholders, empower innovation, and implement reforms that ensure our health system remains resilient, inclusive, and future-proof," he said. In light of this, Dzulkefly expressed appreciation to the Academy of Medicine of Malaysia (AMM), Malaysian Association for Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery (MATCVS), National Council of Professors (MPN), Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), training institutions, legal experts, and policy-making partners who have contributed to this important reform.
