ACC Calls for Regulation on Government Hospital Doctors Working in Private Clinics
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has recommended the creation of a regulation to address government hospital doctors also working at private clinics. This recommendation comes as part of the "Health Welfare System's Corruption Risk Assessment" report, which identifies gaps in the Maldives' healthcare regulations.
According to the report, the Maldives lacks several key regulations necessary for an effective healthcare system, including:
- Diagnosis regulations
- Pricing standards for private healthcare services
- Guidelines for treatment plans
- Practice guidelines for doctors
The ACC highlighted the absence of rules regarding doctors employed by government hospitals who also practice in private clinics, stating that this could lead to conflicts of interest. The report noted that this dual employment arrangement can negatively impact patient care, as doctors may not allocate sufficient time to their government hospital patients. Additionally, the lack of service monitoring and evaluation in such cases creates opportunities for illegal profiteering.
“The absence of a proper monitoring and evaluation system can lead to unethical practices,” the ACC's report noted.
The ACC therefore recommended the establishment of guidelines to regulate government hospital doctors' private practice activities.
The report also raised concerns over the lack of regulations to ensure that medical tests are necessary, stating that unnecessary tests can burden both the healthcare system and patients. Implementing such regulations would prevent the repetition of unnecessary tests, reduce waste, and lower Aasandha expenditures.
Another major issue highlighted by the ACC is the lack of a structured referral system in the Maldives, which often delays patient referrals abroad. The report noted that this gap forces patients to go "doctor shopping," seeing multiple doctors to receive proper care, which increases financial strain on both patients and Aasandha.
The ACC stressed that without a referral system and proper guidelines, expenses related to Aasandha and the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) are difficult to regulate, leading to overspending.
The report pointed out a lack of medication-related regulations, particularly concerning price setting for medications based on their strength and volume. There are also no written guidelines for monitoring the central management system of imported medications.
The ACC concluded that the absence of clear regulations leads to delays in healthcare service delivery, potential corruption, and decisions that may not align with the public's best interests.
The Commission emphasized the need for a proper regulatory framework to protect the basic right to healthcare and ensure the integrity of the healthcare system.