We are demanding that the Ministry of Health Malaysia to enforce restrictions and stricter penalties on commercial unlicenced sonographers and sonography centres as this practise is illegal and unsafe.

Listen to this podcast on 30 August 2024  on BFM for more up-to-date information:

SCAN or SCAM

https://www.bfm.my/podcast/bigger-picture/health-and-living/pregnancy-ultrasound-packages-scan-or-scam​

https://codeblue.galencentre.org/2024/09/13/unlicensed-sonographers-defrauding-the-public-dr-kuharaj-balasubramaniam/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3uznEylqkHts_-c9zBwUN3KnTJAhd6sj-i1T4sEi1H6Z0DwEQzr5QZN3w_aem_X1ZlPjv58o17hhsfbdGnqQ

I am deeply concerned, as a fully trained Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, about the current blatant disregard for medical and allied health regulations, allowing many unlicensed sonographers to practice for a medical fee to the public. It takes nearly 10 years to train as an OBGYN Specialist. Sonographers are unlicenced as allied health practitioners, and are yet performing "diagnostic medical procedures" on members of the public independently for a "medical fees", thus considered illegal and harmful medical practice.

In other words, these are unqualified non-medical personnel (unrecognised by KKM as allied health practitioner)  purchasing ultrasound scan machines and performing "medical diagnostic procedures" on pregnant women (which are "patients") for a "medical fee" in violation of both the medical device act and private healthcare facilities and services act.

This issue hits close to my heart, as it has the potential to put many lives at risk, especially those of unborn babies. Failure to address this problem promptly may lead to unnecessary public health risks that could have been prevented to our unborn babies which eventually would burden not only the parents but the entire society at large.

The problem stems from the lack of comprehensive enforcement and strict penalties by our Ministry of Health Malaysia, KKM.

Sonographers work under the direct supervision of trained OBGYN specialists in most parts of the developed world. However, this level of supervision and regulation is currently grossly lacking in Malaysia, and in certain instances, leading to substandard care and even medical negligence. Allowing such a practice to continue is not only a massive oversight by the government but can lead to severe implications to pregnant woman, her unborn baby, her immediate family and the community and hence could be a huge public health concern and financial burden on the healthcare system.

More importantly, substandard care from unsupervised commercial sonography practices could result in late or missed diagnoses, potentially leading to severe life long health consequences to unborn babies and the legal question lies in who is ultimately accountable or responsible for the "medical error". In my humble opinion, the bill will be paid by the taxpayer and the government in the long run.

Utilizing our shared voice, we are calling on the Ministry of Health to enforce stricter penalties on commercial sonographers and/or sonography centres charging "medical fees" to pregnant "patients" to mitigate future risks as this practise is illegal and unsafe. This petition is an important step toward ensuring the safety of our community and preventing unnecessary costly health expenditure. Empower this cause and demand our health regulators take immediate action by signing this petition.