Its president Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai urged political coalitions to pledge any improvement for healthcare in their GE15 manifestos and to keep their promises to the people."The MMA wishes to express its disappointment that the general election will be held around the time the Health White Paper was initially expected to be tabled.
Dr Muruga pointed out that a number of studies on Malaysia's healthcare system were conducted in the last 30 years."These studies should be declassified as they contain valuable input; essential towards the improvement of the healthcare system. "We need more doctors and specialists but there are not enough positions being created and not enough training hospitals.
"We still believe the posts should be increased proportionately with the increase in population," he said. To provide better recognition of the role of private GPs in the healthcare system, MMA hopes to see more inclusive policies, recognising the role of private GPs in the health of the population."The private GPs are a ready-made network of healthcare providers with a wider reach and access to communities all over the country.
To support development and growth of the country's private healthcare sector, Dr Muruga siad beyond just enforcing and regulating Act 586, the Health Ministry should support the development and growth of the private healthcare sector by expanding the scope of its Bahagian Amalan Perubatan which looks after private practice."Private laboratories, although they provide certain services that come under healthcare, are unregulated.