He said the government is committed to ensuring that Malaysians can continue to access basic medical care without facing financial hardship, Bernama reported.
“In any policy, there are always trade-offs. We recognise the impact on those without insurance who have to pay for consultations directly.
“So, by keeping the floor price unchanged, we’re providing significant relief to the public,” he told reporters after the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2025 celebration in Putrajaya today.
Dzulkefly said while the minimum fee remains at RM10, the government has raised the maximum allowable fee for consultations to RM80.
“This gives GPs the flexibility to set their fees based on the complexity and duration of the service provided.
“For example, a 10-minute consultation for a common cold should not be compared with a 40-minute session for diabetes, cholesterol, hypertension, or mental health assessments,” he said.
He said the health ministry is also hopeful that GPs will take a more comprehensive approach to patient care, ensuring they assess patients’ health needs thoroughly.
“The move (to increase the maximum rate) also aims to motivate GPs to pay more attention to managing non-communicable diseases, which are a growing concern in Malaysia,” he said.
Dzulkefly emphasised the critical role GPs play in the primary healthcare system. With greater flexibility in fee-setting, he said, the government aims to ensure patients receive quality care while maintaining financial accessibility.
He also pointed out the importance of a strong doctor-patient relationship in good healthcare. When doctors provide thorough and quality care, patients are more likely to return for ongoing treatment, despite the cost.
“This is why the ceiling price adjustment is a strategic move to encourage GPs to offer responsible care while ensuring that patients get value for their money,” he said.
Tabling the 2026 budget yesterday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the consultation fee for GPs had been reviewed, with the new fee range set between RM10 and RM80, up from the previous range of RM10 to RM35.
However, the Malaysian Medical Association expressed disappointment over the decision to maintain the minimum consultation fee for GPs at RM10, a rate set under the MMA Fee Schedule 1992.