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The past year has been anything but dull for the MMA Sarawak Branch. The Private Health Care Facilities and Services Regulations came into operation last year. While the objective of the act was to raise the standard of medical care, many doctors were initially apprehensive about some of the cumbersome and outdated stipulations. The committee of the MMA Sarawak Branch has held many dialogues with the State Health Department to ensure that the implementation of the act is smooth and flexible enough for the benefits of the patients and the doctors in private practice.

Dr Lam Chin Chyou, Chairman of MMA Sarawak Branch 2006-2007 made an impassionate speech regarding many of the outdated aspects of the Private Health Care Facilities and Services Act during the 34th Annual Installation Dinner. His speech appeared on the front page of Borneo Post two days later and I believed it was no coincidence that some of the outdated regulations were scrapped by the Health Ministry soon after.

The chronic shortage of doctors in the rural area continued to concern us. The allowance given to doctors serving in the rural area should be increased to help to address the issue. Recently, the teachers serving in rural area were given an increase in allowances, sometimes exceeding half of their salaries. We hope that the issue can be resolved soon for the doctors.

Last year, we are very encouraged for achieving the recruitment target two years in a row. However, much more need to be done and I appeal to all of you to help to recruit other doctors who are not yet members or whose membership have lapsed. Increase in our membership will give us more credibility and enable us to be more effective in our negotiations with the respective higher authorities.

The executive committee would miss the dedicated services of Dr Kong Hie Ling and Dr Xavier Sim. We wish them the best in whatever they do. On behalf of the committee, I would like to thank Ms Dorothy Tan for her efficiency despite an ever increasing workload. I would also like to thank the sponsors and everyone who have contributed in the publication of this magazine.

DR SOON SU YANG
Editor

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