Dr RA Lingeshwaran said some of these providers have also submitted their request to be exempted as they provide vital services.

He said these clinics, which come under Act 774, involve dietitians, physiotherapists, nutritionists, clinical psychologists, occupational therapists and speech language therapists.

“These critical healthcare services are not luxury services but essential for recovery, rehabilitation and improving quality of life.

“Imposing the SST on these critical services also negatively affects patients who are already struggling with health challenges.

“This tax makes healthcare less accessible and burdens patients with unnecessary financial strain,” he told FMT.

Lingeshwaran, a former director of Sungai Bakap Hospital in Penang, said with the ageing population rising rapidly, these services in the private sector are vital as public hospitals are unable to cater to the demand.

He said abolishing the SST on these services will also complement the government’s health service.

According to him, the Private Physiotherapy Clinic Owners Association had written to Putrajaya asking for the exemption and pointed out that registered traditional medicine centres that fall under Act 775 and provide similar services are exempted.

He said the ageing population and individuals with musculoskeletal or neurological conditions rely heavily on affordable physiotherapy services, hence removing SST from these services would significantly alleviate their financial burden.

“These professionals provide life-changing care and the policy is obstructing their ability to serve those in need,” he said.