Dr Koh Kar Chai is new MMA president
KUALA LUMPUR: Dr Koh Kar Chai has assumed the role of Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president for the 2021-2022 term following its 61st National Annual General Meeting held virtually today.
Dr Koh takes over the reins from Prof Datuk M. Subramaniam who completed his 2020-2021 term and now hold the role of immediate past president.
In his acceptance speech, Dr Koh said healthcare reforms would be a top priority during his term.
"We need to take a long hard look at healthcare reforms that are much needed for our country.
"The process will take quite a few years to say the least, but I believe that MMA, being the responsible medical association it is, should take the bull by its horns," he said in a statement today.
Dr Koh also emphasised the need to continue to engage with the government on various issues concerning the healthcare system, saying that doctors should take the lead.
MMA, he said, should engage more regularly and purposefully with the government on the need for reforms in the country's healthcare system that are in the best interest of the health and well-being of the population.
He further said there are a multitude of issues to look at, which involve both the public and private sector.
"I believe that MMA, with its Section Concerning House Officers, Medical Officers and Specialists (SCHOMOS) and Private Practitioner Section (PPS) is well prepared to forge ahead and tackle all the obstacles encountered and to be encountered in the reformation of healthcare in this country.
"(This could be) about Contract Medical Officers; lack of medical personnel or rather misplaced medical personnel in the public sector; Dispensing separation; Medicine Price Control; unequal access to secondary and tertiary care and all other aspects related to the need to transform our healthcare system."
Dr Koh also expressed confidence in the health ministry under a new leadership supported by experienced top officials.
"We have with us a seasoned Health Director-General, Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, and a dynamic new Honourable Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar, who we need to work with towards our common aspirations of a healthcare system that truly leaves no one behind, that is efficient and sustainable – one that will be the pride of us doctors and our patients.
"I look forward to engaging and working closely with the Health Ministry, State Health Departments, the media, our current Exco and Council, the various committees and of course our erstwhile members."
Dr Koh graduated from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, India.
Upon completion of his M.B.B.S. degree in 1991 he served in public healthcare under the Health Ministry and upon completion of his public service, he ventured into private general practice from the year 1994 till present day.
He has been an active member of the MMA for almost two decades and is involved in many policy discussions and decisions on healthcare issues.
Dr Koh is an advocate for equal access to quality, safe and affordable healthcare services for all. He is also a firm believer in vaccination as a way forward in the prevention of communicable diseases.
Those in the new line-up for the new term are Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai (president-elect), Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo (Honourary General Secretary), Dr Vasu Pillai Letchumanan (Honourary General Treasurer), Dr Arvindran Alaga (Honorary Deputy Secretary), Dr Sivanaesan Letchumanan (Honorary Deputy Secretary), Dr Vijay Ganasan (SCHOMOS Chairman), and Dr Balachandran S Krishnan (PPS Chairman). - NST
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