Most of us had felt the up coming challenges and pressures in our medical practice, including:
" the implementation of the Private Healthcare & Facility Act
" the trend of medicolegal litigation
" the incorporation of traditional medicine into hospital practice
" the uncertainty of the National Healthcare Financing Scheme.

Many of us feel that a pro-active attitude among the doctors may lead to a better outcome. Putting aside all minor conflicts, MMA is an available channel to achieve the common goals for every individual doctor in this nation. We strongly think that action from the root level will bring about the best result and hope that the combination of all our voices will exert the most effect. Hence, the active participation and contribution of every single individual is essential.

We would like to urge every doctor to be an active member of MMA even though some of you may have already been a member of other medical professional bodies. We strongly believe that MMA is the best platform for you to do something for yourself. And, as the 'side effect ' of that, other members will benefit from your deeds, and you will also benefit from others' deeds.

Please click here for the list of 2007/2008 MMA Perak committee members. Please feel free to contact anyone of us if you have any need or opinion (for example, if there's an unexpected 'spot check' to your clinic):

We sincerely think that we may not be wiser than you but we would like you to know that you are not alone. We pledge that we will deliver to your needs if you give us your support.

Attached is the program of activities for 2007/2008 term and hope it will be useful. Please contact us if you wish to participate in organizing the activities.

Activity	Date
1st MMA Perak committe meeting	01-07-2007
MMA Perak meets members in Manjung	28-07-2007
2nd MMA Perak committe meeting	05-08-2007
Family trip to Gua Tempurung	Postponed
Family trip to Temenggur Dam	25, 26-08-2007
MPS roadshow in Ipoh	08-09-2007
MMA Perak meets Perak Director of Health	28-08-07
Installation dinner	21-10-007
Public Forum	22-12-2007
SCHOMOS Nite / PPS Nite	Jan 2008
MMA Perak meets members in North Perak	to be determined
MMA Perak meets members in Taiping	to be determined
MMA Perak meets members in Teluk Intan	to be determined
Talks: National Healthcare Financing Scheme	to be determined
Seminar in Medical Law & Ethics	01, 02-03-2008
MMA Perak AGM	April, 2008

The priorities of MMA Perak 2007/2008 are:
" Membership drive
" Education in medical law and ethics
" Private Healthcare & Facilities Act
" Promoting the good image of doctor to the public
" National Healthcare Financial Scheme
" Facts about Traditional & Herbal Medicine


During the last MMA AGM, the then MMA Perak Chairman, Dato' Dr. Vasan Sinnadurai, had proposed for an amnesty period of one-year for reduction of life-membership fee in order to retain members. The resolution was strongly supported. Subscription fee for life-membership will be RM 2000.00 during the period, from 1st, January 2008 to 31st, December 2008. A doctor needs to be an ordinary member before applying for life membership. We urge all lapsed members to reactivate their memberships before the end of 2007, so that they will not miss the opportunity to be a life member at this reuced rate. We also plead to you to introduce it to non-member doctors.

In early July 2007, we received a complaint from a member, that a private hospital in Ipoh has apparently been over enthusiastic in running its Casualty / Outpatient Department, to the extent that it was competing with private general practitioners for Medical Panel Contracts at the primary care level.

It is naturally very much of concern because this hospital is offering a package cost that the private practitioners find difficult to match. The hospital is capable of doing so because it does not incur any extra cost (except that the MO on duty has to work extra hard). And of course the hospital does not mind to loss a little while providing the primary care. It's ultimate aim is to set up a catchment mechanism for patients who may need secondary or inpatient care. The simple analogy applies - the traditional retail sundry shops find it difficult to survive in the presence of the 'hypermarkets'.

This matter was brought to discussion in the PPS national meeting. Unfortunately there has not been any law or written policy to back up the private general practitioners. Fortunately, our number protects us. A singled out general practitioner may not attract the attentions of the private hospitals but the total number of all the private general practitioners in the region do. Why should a private hospital trade of its support from all the private GPs in the region for the sake of primary care business which is not it's core business? So, as long as we doctors stay unanimous, we will be able to enjoy the win - win situation with private hospitals.

Hence, please remember that all the MMA members need you and you need everybody. This is why membership drive is MMA Perak's top priority this year. If every one of us can bring in a new member by the end of this year, the result will be great.