BEAUTY parlours and private clinics are prohibited from performing plastic surgery, said Health director-general Datuk Seri Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman.
Plastic surgery, which is considered “invasive procedure”, can only be carried out at government hospitals with plastic surgery specialists recognised by the Health Ministry, licensed private hospitals or licensed private ambulatory care centres regulated under the Private Healthcare Facilities And Services Act 1998 (Act 586).
Dr Hasan said only doctors registered with Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) and had qualifications and adequate experience were allowed to perform plastic surgery.
“Doctors from foreign countries can apply for approval from the MMC appraisal committee if they want to practice in Malaysia.
“They will be given a temporary practice certificate valid for a maximum of three months, and they are required to renew the certificate from time to time,” he said.
When seeking treatment from plastic surgeons, the people have the right to look at the temporary practice certificate, which details the doctor’s name, identification number and place of practice.
However, it does not provide information on the doctor’s expertise.
The public can also do a background check on the doctor via the “Medical Register” section on mmc.gov.my. Information such as the doctor’s qualification, medical education background and place of practice are listed in the website.
Dr Hasan said so far, the ministry had not received any complaints regarding failed plastic surgery although a few deaths were highlighted by the media.
“The ministry has been told that patients suffering complications from surgeries are too shy to come forward to lodge reports, and prefer to find other alternatives to rectify the situation themselves.
“For the safety of the public, we would like to urge the people to lodge official complaints with us so that action can be taken against the culprits to curb unethical practices,” he said.
Those with complaints on doctors can write to the MMC. Complaints against private clinics found to be offering plastic surgeries can be directed to the Private Medical Practice Control complaints unit through Health Ministry’s Medical Practice Department director.
Although beauty parlours come under the jurisdiction of the local councils, those suspected or found to be offering medical services listed in the Act 586 can be referred to the complaints unit.
Under Act 586, the enforcement officers from the ministry have the authority to enter and check beauty parlours upon receiving complaints.
If found offering unlicensed medical services, the premises owner or the person in charge will be fined not more than RM300,000 or jailed not more than six years or both.
Repeat offenders will be fined not more than RM1,000 per day for each offence.
Parlours operated by corporations, organisations or partnership, will be fined not more than RM500,000 and RM5,000 for repeat offences. The people in charge will face the same punishment as the individual offenders.
Private clinics found to have performed plastic surgeries will be closed or have their registration withdrawn.
The doctor, who is the sole owner of the clicnic, will be fined not more than RM100,000 or jailed not more than two years, or both.
For repeat offences, the owner will be fined not more than RM1,000 per day.
Clinics that are operated by corporations, organisations or partnership will face a fine of not more than RM300,000, and RM5,000 per day for repeat offences.
Similarly, the people in charge will face the same punishment as the sole owners.
“Registered doctors performing plastic surgery illegally (in beauty parlours or private healthcare centres which are not allowed to provide such surgery) will face disciplinary actions from the MMC.
“Under the Medical Act 1971, it is a crime for those who are not registered with MMC, or do not possess the necessary qualifications, to perform plastic surgery. Such cases will be referred to the police for further action,” Dr Hasan said.
He added that there were no specific guidelines for the practice of plastic surgery in Malaysia for the time being.
“There is a set of guidelines regarding the practice of aesthetic medicine, which focuses on the ethical aspects. It was enacted by the MMC in 2008.
“The Health Ministry in now preparing a more comprehensive set of guidelines to regulate the practice of aesthetic medicine. One of the components is related to specialists performing plastic and aesthetic surgeries,” he said.
The guidelines, which would cover qualifications, training required and the procedures allowed, are estimated to be completed by end of this year.
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