Doctors decry being squeezed dry by Fomema
Published: May 9, 2014 8:55 AM | Updated: May 9, 2014 11:57 AM
The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has decried what it says is ongoing pressure on doctors and private clinics by monopoly concessionaire Fomema Sdn Bhd.
They say fees are the same since it was set up for foreign worker check-ups in 2000.
The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has decried what it says is ongoing pressure on doctors and private clinics by monopoly concessionaire Fomema Sdn Bhd.
MMA president Dr NKS Tharmaseelan (right) said that the monopoly concessionaire is “making tonnes at the expense of doctors and the taxpayers”.
In a detailed press statement, Tharmaseelan said that since Fomema was set up to facilitate medical check-ups for foreign workers in 2000, the fees paid to doctors and clinics have remained stagnant.
“Fomema has only pays doctors RM60 for medical examination and RM25 for X-rays since the inception of the programme 14 years ago.
“When doctors ask for an increase, Fomema blames the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) for not agreeing for the increase, while the EPU says otherwise,” he claimed.
Tharmaseelan also said the consultation fees have not gone up, even though doctors now have to include a psychiatric assessment for each foreign worker.
In contrast, he said, the consultation fee for a less detailed examination on foreign students is RM120.
'Millions without much effort'
Tharmaseelan further alleged that Fomema is insisting that doctors digitise all X-rays, when it is not mandated by the Health Ministry, and it charges the clinics digitalisation fees to the tune of RM4 per film.
He said the fee for reporting is an additional RM5 per film, not accounting for the maintenance cost for the digital computerised radiography (CR) machine, the software and maintenance.
He added that it is also difficult for clinics which choose not to digitise the X-rays as couriered films to Fomema end up “missing”.
“They then advise the doctor to go digital and pay the transmission fee of RM4 per transmission. A million X-rays a year, brings in RM4 million without any effort by Fomema,” he said.
Tharmaseelan said while MMA is not against the digitisation of X-rays, it should not be an excuse for rent-seeking and not when consultation fees are still suppressed.
MMA also decried that the digital X-ray machine and software must only be purchased from one supplier, although it can be bought cheaper elsewhere.
“To cough a little additional money from their massive coffers does not need the approval of the government, whom Fomema is blaming. With the fees collected, Fomema can certainly afford to pay more for doctors.. (Fomema does) little but reaps in millions of ringgit,” he said.
Malaysiakini has contacted Fomema and is awaiting its response.
MMA president Dr NKS Tharmaseelan (right) said that the monopoly concessionaire is “making tonnes at the expense of doctors and the taxpayers”.In a detailed press statement, Tharmaseelan said that since Fomema was set up to facilitate medical check-ups for foreign workers in 2000, the fees paid to doctors and clinics have remained stagnant.
“Fomema has only pays doctors RM60 for medical examination and RM25 for X-rays since the inception of the programme 14 years ago.
“When doctors ask for an increase, Fomema blames the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) for not agreeing for the increase, while the EPU says otherwise,” he claimed.
Tharmaseelan also said the consultation fees have not gone up, even though doctors now have to include a psychiatric assessment for each foreign worker.
In contrast, he said, the consultation fee for a less detailed examination on foreign students is RM120.
'Millions without much effort'
Tharmaseelan further alleged that Fomema is insisting that doctors digitise all X-rays, when it is not mandated by the Health Ministry, and it charges the clinics digitalisation fees to the tune of RM4 per film.
He said the fee for reporting is an additional RM5 per film, not accounting for the maintenance cost for the digital computerised radiography (CR) machine, the software and maintenance.He added that it is also difficult for clinics which choose not to digitise the X-rays as couriered films to Fomema end up “missing”.
“They then advise the doctor to go digital and pay the transmission fee of RM4 per transmission. A million X-rays a year, brings in RM4 million without any effort by Fomema,” he said.
Tharmaseelan said while MMA is not against the digitisation of X-rays, it should not be an excuse for rent-seeking and not when consultation fees are still suppressed.
MMA also decried that the digital X-ray machine and software must only be purchased from one supplier, although it can be bought cheaper elsewhere.
“To cough a little additional money from their massive coffers does not need the approval of the government, whom Fomema is blaming. With the fees collected, Fomema can certainly afford to pay more for doctors.. (Fomema does) little but reaps in millions of ringgit,” he said.
Malaysiakini has contacted Fomema and is awaiting its response.
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