Private clinics in Malaysia push to raise fees, saying it's long overdue

Patients worry about paying more; experts say move could lead to crowded govt clinics

- Hazlin Hassan

Malaysian private general practitioners (GPs) are calling for a substantial increase in consultation fees, citing operational challenges and rising medical inflation.

This takes place amid soaring healthcare costs and higher insurance premiums, with consumers concerned about affordability and accessibility, voicing their anxiety over the call to hike fees.

The Federation of Private Medical Practitioners' Associations Malaysia (FPMPAM) is urging that fees go up from the current range of RM10 (S$3) to RM35, to a range of RM50 to RM150.

The group's president, Dr Shanmuganathan T.V. Ganeson, said this would be merely a "long-overdue correction" rather than a sudden price spike.

Dr Shanmuganathan said on March 6 that the consultation fee structure has remained unchanged for 19 years since 2006 despite the rising costs of rent, utilities, staff salaries and medical supplies.

"Many small clinics are shutting down, forcing patients to seek more expensive hospital care," he said.

There are around 8,000 GP clinics in the country, a drop from some 9,800 in 2022. FPMPAM represents over 5,000 members.

Dr Shanmuganathan suggested that the new fees take effect over three to five years, with periodic adjustments based on medical inflation.

His call followed a furore in December 2024 over a planned 40 per cent to 70 per cent hike in health insurance premiums by providers in 2025.

Following a public outcry, the government announced interim measures on Dec 20, such as having the premium increases spread out over three years, and imposing a 10 per cent annual cap on rises in premiums.