Protecting our GP system is not just about preserving tradition, but also securing affordable, effective healthcare for all Malaysians.
From Dr Steven Chow
I write in response to an article titled “Decide once and for all if GPs are a public good” published on Aug 17.
Malaysia’s general practitioner (GP) system of independent solo practices is one of the most effective and affordable models of healthcare in the region.
A single GP clinic can meet the immediate medical needs of thousands in the community, providing one-stop care that is both accessible and cost-efficient.
This is not new. As far back as 1986, the health ministry found that the cost of a patient encounter in a private GP clinic came up to RM28, which was less than half that of the RM56 fee at government clinics.
Despite making up only 40% of outpatient providers, GPs once handled up to 60% of the outpatient load—helping to ease congestion in public hospitals and enabling them to focus on more complex care.
Yet today, this proven system is under strain. Middlemen, through restrictive regulations, have eroded the ability of GPs to deliver timely and quality care.
More worrying is the entry of foreign-owned entities into primary care, in direct contrast to earlier MOH policies.
These investors are driven by profit, not patient care. The result will be rising costs, declining quality, and long-term burdens for future generations once profits are extracted and businesses sold off.
Our GP system is a national asset. It delivers care where patients live, at a sustainable cost, and with continuity that large corporate models cannot replicate.
Health reforms must not weaken or dismantle this system. Instead, they should strengthen and empower GPs as the backbone of primary care.
Protecting our GP system is not just about preserving tradition—it is about securing affordable, effective healthcare for all Malaysians.
Dr Steven Chow is the past president of the Federation of Private Medical Associations Malaysia and the founding chairman of DRSforALL.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
