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ACC calls for regulations governing doctors in private institutions

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has highlighted the challenges faced by doctors in government hospitals when providing services, attributing these issues to the absence of regulations for their work in private hospitals and clinics.

This statement emerged from the ACC's corruption risk assessment of the health welfare system in the Maldives. The assessment aimed to evaluate the system's vulnerability to corruption and propose measures to mitigate these risks. It identified several systemic issues, noting that essential regulations needed for effective health service delivery have yet to be established in the country.

The ACC pointed out that there are currently no established procedures regarding diagnoses, pricing, treatment plans, or clinical guidelines in private facilities. Furthermore, there are no specific rules governing doctors employed in these private institutions, leading to conflicts of interest, inconsistent patient interaction times, and inadequate monitoring of medical services. The report also indicated that these gaps facilitate the potential for illegal benefits.

Additionally, the ACC noted the absence of robust regulations to uphold integrity and combat corruption in the pharmaceutical sector. It highlighted the lack of a systematic approach for determining drug prices and for centrally monitoring the stock of imported medicines. Moreover, it was revealed that medicine prices are not consistently aligned with their strength or volume, contributing to corruption and service delays.

In response, the ACC has recommended the development of comprehensive regulations aimed at preventing corruption within the health system while ensuring integrity in service delivery. The report outlines 14 recommendations to tackle corruption and promote an equitable welfare system, along with six additional suggestions to enhance the overall health infrastructure.