Private clinics offer an alternative for people who prefer faster access to medical specialists and shorter wait times. Malaysia has plenty of private clinics that offer the best of the services. However, now and then, there will be issues such as abuse of the system and illegal operations in the private clinic sector.
Source: Giphy
Yesterday, a well established private clinic in Georgetown, Penang was shut down by the Penang State Health Department’s Private Healthcare Practice Control Branch (CKAPS) at 3pm. According to an article published by Malaysiakini, this clinic has been operating in Penang for the past 16 years.
According to CKAPS, this is not the first time this private clinic has had a run-in with the law! In 2018, upon inspection, this clinic was found with stocks of expired medicine and an unorganised patient record. Following this, the private clinic received a warning. However, things got even worse when reinspection found that the situation remained unchanged. This prompted the State Health Department to revoke the clinic’s operating license in early December 2019.
Source: Marinelog
The revoked operating license did not stop the clinic from continuing its daily business. The clinic was yet again found to be selling MCs to the public at the shocking price of RM10, per day! This eventually led to the clinic being investigated and held accountable by law under Section 91 (1) of The Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998.
Clinics are meant to be a spot for patients who are vulnerable and unwell to seek treatments. Unfortunately, certain clinics at times, they stray away from their primary purpose.
Also read: Video: S’ban Doctor Rages At Woman Who Walked Into His Office To Question Him Over Mix-Up
