MMA president Dr R Thirunavukarasu said MMC’s guidance was essential to clarify boundaries, restore clinical confidence and protect patient welfare in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.

At a recent meeting with MMC, he said two key issues were raised — growing non-clinical interference in patient management decisions and the alleged blacklisting of doctors by insurers or corporate panels.

Thirunavukarasu said the blacklisting often occurred without clear justification given or due process.

“MMA pointed out that such exclusions are often driven by commercial interests rather than ethical considerations.

“These decisions not only damage a doctor’s professional reputation but, more alarmingly, compromise the rights of patients, especially insured individuals, by restricting their access to trusted general practitioners or specialists.

“MMC is the only body empowered by law to determine whether a doctor is fit to practise, based on ethical and professional standards,” he said in a statement.

Thirunavukarasu said MMA also raised the issue of clinical circulars and treatment restrictions issued by peer doctors in administrative roles within insurance companies.

He said such directives undermine a doctor’s duty to act in the best interests of the patient.

“The imbalance between responsibility and authority is growing, and with it the risk of compromised care and declining morale within the medical profession.”

The MMA delegation was led by Thirunavakarusu at the meeting, chaired by Dr Lim Joo Kiong, on behalf of the MMC ethics committee.