PETALING JAYA: Clinical decision-making and patient safety in private healthcare must be protected from financial influence, says the Health Ministry.
“The Health Ministry takes seriously any practice that may compromise clinical independence or patient safety in private healthcare settings,” it said on Tuesday (Oct 7).
“Cost efficiency is important in healthcare financing, but it must never override professional judgment or patients’ rights to informed, consensual care,” it added.
The ministry warned against interference that compromises professional standards in private facilities.
It reminded that decisions on anaesthesia, treatment modality and admission status must be based on clinical need and ethics.
Administrative directives or financial gatekeeping must not drive these decisions, added the ministry.
Without citing a specific case, the ministry referred to Sections 82 and 83 of the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998.
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It said the provisions safeguard clinical decisions from undue influence.
“Any arrangement that interferes with a practitioner’s authority over patient management is unacceptable,” it said.
Pressuring practitioners to act against professional ethics may also be inconsistent with legal provisions.
The ministry said conditioning guarantee letter approvals or reimbursement on predetermined clinical choices may breach these principles.
It said this includes any arrangement, directive or contractual condition that limits clinical discretion.
The ministry said it would continue to monitor the situation and engage stakeholders.
These include healthcare providers, insurers and professional bodies to ensure good clinical governance.
“We urge all parties to respect professional boundaries and place patient welfare above administrative or financial considerations,” it said.
