New MMA president pledges reforms in healthcare system

SHAH ALAM - New Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai has pledged to continue reforming the healthcare system

The medical doctor with a law degree and a masters in business administration takes over from the previous president Dr Koh Kar Chai.

"Rest assured that I will continue MMA’s push for reforms," he said in a speech at MMA's annual general meeting last night while thanking Dr Koh to start the ball rolling on healthcare reforms from the beginning of his term.

Dr Muruga said the healthcare human resources issues need to be looked into.

“I am indeed looking forward to working closely with the health minister and the public service department (JPA)," he said, referring to the notable progress on contract doctors after health minister Khairy Jamaluddin said that over 4,000 contract doctors to be given permanent positions.

But he said there is still a long way from a more sustainable solution.

Dr Murugan also plans to meet JPA to discuss over increasing the number of permanent positions for contract doctors.

"We hope that these concerns will be adequately addressed through the White paper which is expected to be tabled in November,” he added.

He would also be touching on addressing the issue of bullying among healthcare workers in the public healthcare system.

“It is disturbing to hear, so let me just say that bullying will not be tolerated any longer as I will work together with the health ministry to ensure that this cancerous behaviour that has crept into the system is dealt with,” he added.

He is currently a private general practitioner in Kempas, Johor Bahru.