Schedule 7 Amendment: Limited Fix & Key Concerns

A recent amendment to the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services (Amendment of Fee Schedule) Order 2026 represents a long-awaited, though partial, adjustment to healthcare costs in Malaysia. The revision, gazetted recently after years of delays, focuses narrowly on consultation fees, leaving most of the existing fee schedule unchanged since 2006.

A Long-Delayed Adjustment, Not A Sudden Change

The amendment addresses only a small portion of concerns that have been ongoing for more than a decade, with previous proposals repeatedly deferred. While fuel prices are reviewed weekly, the cost of delivering primary health care has seen limited adjustment despite decades of inflation and increasing expectations.

General Practice Is More Than a Consultation Fee

Primary care clinics function as a frontline component of the country’s healthcare system, providing more than just consultation services. Clinics offer ongoing care for chronic illnesses, preventive screenings, ensure the procurement of safe medicines, provide minor procedures and urgent care, and handle medical documentation and regulatory compliance.

What Actually Changed And What Remains Unchanged

The recent amendment adjusts consultation fees and selected areas, but a substantial portion of Schedule 7 remains unchanged. Clauses covering procedures, investigations, reports, and other care components still reflect the fee structure from 2006.

Why This Matters To The Public

Cost pressures on primary care clinics, without corresponding fee updates, can lead to limitations in services, reduced capacity, or delayed investments in better care. The cost of running a clinic – including rent, staff salaries, and medical supplies – has increased significantly since 2006, a gap that clinics have largely absorbed.

A Balanced View Is Needed

Any fee-related change requires careful handling, particularly given the current economic climate. It is important that partial updates are not misunderstood as broad increases, or framed in a way that suggests the profession is acting against the public interest.

What Should Happen Next

Stakeholders are calling for a comprehensive review of Schedule 7, addressing all components, not just consultation fees. They also advocate for regular, structured updates to avoid decades-long gaps, clear public communication regarding partial changes, and continued engagement with stakeholders to balance sustainability and affordability.

The Private Medical Practitioners’ Association of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur (PMPASKL) issued the statement, emphasizing that the amendment is a partial adjustment and not a complete resolution to long-standing pressures on primary care clinics.