MMA raises alarm on illegal clinics with unqualified practitioners posing as doctors, risking patient safety with misdiagnosis and controlled drugs.
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has sounded the alarm over the discovery of illegal clinics in Kuala Lumpur where foreign nationals allegedly posed as doctors, offered medical advice and dispensed controlled medicines without proper qualifications or registration.
MMA president Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo (pic) described the revelations “alarming” and “unacceptable” and said such operations pose serious threats to patient safety and expose gaps in regulatory enforcement.
“Patients who seek treatment at such facilities risk misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatment, complications from unsafe procedures and exposure to counterfeit or improperly dispensed medicines.”
Medical practice in Malaysia is strictly regulated to protect public health – only doctors registered with the Malaysian Medical Council and hold a valid annual practising certificate are allowed to practise.
The MMA said the safeguards ensure practitioners meet rigorous standards of training, ethics and competency.
It urged authorities to intensify surveillance and enforcement to swiftly detect and shut down illegal healthcare operations, noting that the recurrence of such clinics – despite previous raids – points to the need for sustained and robust action.
Thirunavukarasu said enforcement should be strategically strengthened in areas with large migrant populations, as vulnerable communities are often targeted by illegal operators who exploit barriers such as cost, language and limited awareness of the healthcare system.
“This is not about any particular group. It is about protecting individuals who may be taken advantage of due to circumstances beyond their control.”
The MMA called for stronger interagency collaboration, regular inspections and decisive penalties.
It also urged the public to remain vigilant, advising patients to seek treatment only from registered practitioners and licensed facilities.
On Feb 14, the Immigration Department raided nine illegal clinics along Jalan Tun Tan Siew Sin in KL. It was reported that the clinics ran illicitly from concealed rooms behind retail shops and allegedly catered to foreign nationals. Officers seized controlled medicines including antibiotics and drugs for chronic conditions, believed to have been smuggled from Bangladesh. Eighteen men were detained, including individuals suspected of posing as doctors and charging between RM50 and RM100 per consultation.
The suspects are being investigated under immigration laws while the Health Ministry is probing offences under the Sale of Drugs Act.
The Sun Malaysia
