ID :
46451
Thu, 02/19/2009 - 18:13
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/46451
The shortlink copeid
PRIVATE HOSPITALS TO REPORT UNANTICIPATED DEATHS
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 19 (Bernama) -- With immediate effect, all private
hospitals in the country should report to the health director-general on
unanticipated deaths in their premises within 72 hours of occurence.
Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said the hospitals must report such cases
that might be related to anaesthetic, medical or surgical procedures.
He said the move was crucial in the government's efforts to enhance the
safety and quality of patient care in the country.
"The information compiled would then be studied by the National Mortality
Assessment Committee whose members would be appointed by the director-general.
"It would benefit both the private healthcare providers and consumers, and
enhance public confidence in the services provided," Liow said at the Pantai
Medical Centre's rebranding programme here Thursday.
Pantai Medical Centre which currently has nine hospitals in Peninsular
Malaysia, will now be known as Pantai Hospitals.
Speaking to reporters later, Liow said private hospitals were also required
to submit details of their corporate social responsibilties (CSR) to the health
ministry as a pre-requisite for licence renewal.
This is among a series of new practices which would be enforced on private
healthcare providers to make them more socially responsible, he said.
"(Although) most of the hospitals are doing their part in CSR, some of
them are not submitting the details to us, and now it is compulsory for them to
do so. Thus, we can keep track on that," he added.
Liow said the 209 private hospitals in the country were also required
to establish a board of visitors panel comprising appointed community leaders,
by end of the year.
He said the setting up of the board was stipulated in the Private Healthcare
Facilities and Services Act, and hoped the board would forge closer ties between
the private hospitals and the local communities, and enhance the hospitals'
corporate social responsibilities.
He said the board could be modelled after a similar board in government
hospitals, where a hospital with more than 50 beds was required to have at
least 10 members to sit on the board whose number could be increased to as many
as 25.
Touching on medical tourism, Liow hoped the upcoming mini-budget to be
tabled by Finance Minister Najib Tun Razak, who is also deputy prime minister,
at the Parliament sitting on March 10 would allocate a substantial amount to
boost the industry.
"Last year, we had a little slowdown in medical tourism. However, we are
looking to boost this sector as we have identified its prospects to be a key
growth generator for the country this year.
"Besides, we also want to train more nurses and enhance our human capacity,"
he said.
-- BERNAMA
hospitals in the country should report to the health director-general on
unanticipated deaths in their premises within 72 hours of occurence.
Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said the hospitals must report such cases
that might be related to anaesthetic, medical or surgical procedures.
He said the move was crucial in the government's efforts to enhance the
safety and quality of patient care in the country.
"The information compiled would then be studied by the National Mortality
Assessment Committee whose members would be appointed by the director-general.
"It would benefit both the private healthcare providers and consumers, and
enhance public confidence in the services provided," Liow said at the Pantai
Medical Centre's rebranding programme here Thursday.
Pantai Medical Centre which currently has nine hospitals in Peninsular
Malaysia, will now be known as Pantai Hospitals.
Speaking to reporters later, Liow said private hospitals were also required
to submit details of their corporate social responsibilties (CSR) to the health
ministry as a pre-requisite for licence renewal.
This is among a series of new practices which would be enforced on private
healthcare providers to make them more socially responsible, he said.
"(Although) most of the hospitals are doing their part in CSR, some of
them are not submitting the details to us, and now it is compulsory for them to
do so. Thus, we can keep track on that," he added.
Liow said the 209 private hospitals in the country were also required
to establish a board of visitors panel comprising appointed community leaders,
by end of the year.
He said the setting up of the board was stipulated in the Private Healthcare
Facilities and Services Act, and hoped the board would forge closer ties between
the private hospitals and the local communities, and enhance the hospitals'
corporate social responsibilities.
He said the board could be modelled after a similar board in government
hospitals, where a hospital with more than 50 beds was required to have at
least 10 members to sit on the board whose number could be increased to as many
as 25.
Touching on medical tourism, Liow hoped the upcoming mini-budget to be
tabled by Finance Minister Najib Tun Razak, who is also deputy prime minister,
at the Parliament sitting on March 10 would allocate a substantial amount to
boost the industry.
"Last year, we had a little slowdown in medical tourism. However, we are
looking to boost this sector as we have identified its prospects to be a key
growth generator for the country this year.
"Besides, we also want to train more nurses and enhance our human capacity,"
he said.
-- BERNAMA
