tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6158809075942993636.post8530077627217888478..comments2023-10-05T22:41:36.032+08:00Comments on MyHealthMatters: 1Malaysia Clinics: An Exercise in FutilityDr D Quekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02878815376401309022noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6158809075942993636.post-88555038234259528142009-12-17T11:57:33.704+08:002009-12-17T11:57:33.704+08:00The government is thoroughly confused about its he...The government is thoroughly confused about its health care policies. Its over-zealous privatisation policy, has after more than a decade brought out the glaring deficiencies in public primary medical care, which this plaster-strip move would hardly help to mend.<br /><br />While the nation is sorely in need of a National Health Plan with a Financing Plan to back, this fifth grade diversion is brought in for political exigencies as many suspect. More likely than not, it will leave an administrative mess for the next government that comes in!<br /><br />Much as I would be delighted if the public nationwide derive meaningful benefit sustainably, I think it is a lame excuse for not putting up much needed purpose built policlinics in Kuching and elsewhere around the nation as the underlying thrust remains privatisation.<br /><br />Very likely, 1MalaysiaClinics would be overwhelmed on implementation by its own strategic<br />ambiguity and contradictions as well as technical logistical issues. <br /><br />They will address the first contradiction in infringing the oven-fresh Medical Facilities Act by posting a Medical Officer. Will this MO be deprived of diagnostic equipment like USound and will he only have access to the M.A. drugs list for "simple ailments" ONLY at "simple clinics" ? Remember, GPs are not allowed under the act to choose "Simple ailments only" and turn away all emergencies !<br /><br />What is the maximum daily patient thoroughput planned? How many square metres do they have at these townshop clinics for patient reception, waiting, MO/MA consultation, treatment including emergency handling as required under the said Act, dispensary, minimal storage,sex-separate toilets, staff rest? What about parking and traffic considerations at tight shopping strips?<br /><br />If overwhelmingly popular, will it extend shop space, add another couple of MOs., put in an XRay? Will it then not have to put up new Polyclinics anyway? Will it not be alternatively better to farm out all primary health care including Polyclinics to GPs like the the British and they Australians do, albeit under different models?<br /><br />These are the issues about which the profession and the public would expect government to take leadership and the Ministry to show its policy and strategic professionalism, not plaster-strip arrangements which are of little consequence in the broad scheme of things in public policy.<br /><br />Kuching.francis nguhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07253481780080258422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6158809075942993636.post-50217240066203158952009-12-17T10:49:06.433+08:002009-12-17T10:49:06.433+08:001Malaysia Clinic: a public health sector downgrade...1Malaysia Clinic: a public health sector downgrade. More.francis nguhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07253481780080258422noreply@blogger.com