KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) today urged the government to allow some flexibility in enforcement on private medical clinics, which are increasingly swamped by patients from government facilities.

MMA president, Prof Datuk Dr Subramaniam Muniandy, said MMA also played an important role in ensuring treatment could be provided to the people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said MMA also understood the importance of compliance with the standard operating procedure (SOP) in the healthcare sector, and had a guideline in the prevention of infectious diseases.

"MMA has been informed that there were several cases whereby the number of patients has exceeded the capacity of the waiting areas at the clinics, visited by enforcement officers.

"The authorities should understand that those who turn up at private clinics comprise those who are ill and normally accompanied by their family members.

"A number of patients need prompt treatment, and it is not appropriate if the doctors do not treat them," he said in a statement.

In addition, he said that the influx at private medical clinics was also due to COVID-19 screening services to the communities.

"Currently, most clinics have also become vaccination centres (PPV) under the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK).

"The doctors and staff will always monitor the number of patients allowed in the clinic, but at times, it is beyond expectation. This is where consideration from the enforcement authorities is much needed," he added.

-- BERNAMA