'What's up doc' week!!

It has been an interesting week for 'medicine' in Malaysia for the past few days, with the Hon. Health Minister 'firmly' at the helm.
First, the stem cell fiasco. It is amazing that this modern day snake oil peddling company can operate under the radar for so long.I have ranted about the dubiousness of this practice since May/June 2007 when I came across the 'disappointed' patients in my practice.
As usual, I expect there is more to it than meets the eye. Would not be surprised if there are some big shot politicians behind them.After all this was in the news some time back. Careful with reading that article, it's a mix of truth and lies.The top half is crap.

Second, I'm surprised that everybody's surprised that the specialist was on call by phone.That has been the practice when Hon Minister was in hospital setup and that's how it's going to be until next millennium unless, the is a law to the contrary.
Come to think of it, the law actually is in existence. One can't claim the allowance for active call unless one is on site.To do otherwise is fraudulent and can be charged as making a false claim.

OK, ACA please drop all current investigations into Datuk Zeq, Azim Zabidi,Faizal, Samy Vellu and Taib Mahmud and proceed with this more important 'breach of trust'.

Now, my pet peeve.The National Specialist Register.
The intention is noble and to that intent I support it BUT as in other countries, the onus to maintain that register lies with the Government. Academy of Medicine is not the Government, and somehow with the sleight of hand of Dr. Ismail Merican, the Academy is suddenly empowered to do so.

So far, not bad.What the heck you say, as long as someone or somebody maintains the list it's ok.
NOT ok. Academy is charging everybody who's not a member RM300 per year and RM200 if you are, just to have your name in that list.

I can understand the initial payment since someone might need to be paid to go through my qualifications and training but to pay for life? Does that mean I am a certified&gazetted specialist this year but maybe not next year huh?

I get all riled up again when the purpose of paying for life, is that for all the 'jerks' on the councils ( there are many!!) can be PAID whenever they have their meetings..what a load of steatorrhic crap, Dr. Ismail.

Law and enforcement

There are plenty of laws in Malaysia. About anything. From littering to how to bury your dead.Laws about things from cradle to grave.
Enforcement of those laws are a different thing altogether.

I'm quite amazed and sad, reading about the worst vehicular accident in Malaysia ever, yesterday.
Sad about the loss of lives, loss of parents,son and daughters.Amazed about the futility of having laws designed to prevent these kind of things from happening, are not enforced.

Numerous summonses on the driver and the bus itself, the red flags of Puspakom failures etc. What happened to all the effort,time and money spent putting all these into existence if we don't want to do anything about it..

Maybe this is where I can say corruption kills.

Speaking of corruption, mother of all corruptions, seems to be playing out in front of us with just tiny squeaks in mainstream papers.