‘Fees for upgrading skills must be reasonable’

PETALING JAYA: Specialists welcome skills upgrade but do not want it to be commercially driven, says the Association of Specialists in Private Medical Practice (ASPMP).

Its president Dr Sng Kim Hock said the association fully supported the requirement to upgrade skills with continuing medical education but pointed out that fees must be reasonable.

“The Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), besides safeguarding the sick and the public, must also assist in ensu­ring that seminars and conferences that are credentialed with points are accessible to all, especially those in the districts and Sabah and Sarawak.

“Universities and the council should actively play a role in supporting the MMA (Malaysian Medi­­cal Association), Academy of Medi­­cine and professional bodies in provi­ding regular programmes throughout the year.

“There are concerns about funding for the council now that it has become autonomous, and we hope these programmes, if run under the council, become affordable as currently doctors in private practice are already facing a financial crunch,” he said when commenting on the Medical (Amend­ment) Act 2012 and Medical Regu­­lations 2017, which came into force yesterday..

Dr Sng said ASPMP suggested 10 points for the first three years of implementation to allow a smooth transition, as 20 points could be taxing too many doctors.

According to the MMC-CPD gra­­ding system scoring schedule, an example of a 20-point fulfilment is a local or international medical congress that is conducted for not less than three full days (five to eight hours per day) and involves speakers of international standing and other conditions.

A scientific meeting of less than two hours would give one point.

source: The Star Online