Show leniency over crowds at private clinics, says MMA

 

Private clinics are seeing a return of non-Covid-19 cases as government facilities are overwhelmed.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has come to the defence of private clinics hauled up by the authorities for breaching SOPs and exceeding their waiting room capacity.

MMA president Dr Subramaniam Muniandy said they had been informed of a few cases where the authorities had “come down hard” on clinics. He appealed for leniency as crowding often could not be avoided.

“The authorities must understand that most people who visit private clinics are unwell and usually accompanied by a family member or caregiver. Some of the patients require immediate care and we can’t turn them away.

“The GPs (general practitioners) and their staff will, of course, do their best to control the number of people allowed in the clinic. However, at times, it can’t be helped. This is when we need the understanding of the authorities,” he said.

Subramaniam assured the authorities that doctors were aware of the importance of SOPs and that clinics had their own internal infectious disease guidelines.

He said the private doctors were also frontliners and an important component in managing the pandemic.

“Many who are unwell with non-Covid-19 health complaints are coming to the clinics now as all government healthcare facilities are overwhelmed with cases of Covid-19,” he said.

“The private GPs have an important role in ensuring first line, primary care is still available and provided to the population during this time of crisis.” - FMT