Lately I have been busy for various reasons. Thus, my blog entries has been slow with the last entry being almost 3 weeks ago. So many things has been happening over the last 2 months. My hospital life has been busy, almost weekly MMA branch meeting for the upcoming AGM, family matters, politics etc. I became a MMA member since I was a houseman. Currently I am a life member. I have been active in MMA Johor branch since the year 2000 as a committee member and subsequently as Johor SCHOMOS Chairman from 2002 till 2005. I was also the National SCHOMOS Treasurer from 2004 till 2006. I took a break from 2007 till 2011 as I was busy doing my subspecialty as well as starting academic life (Monash) and private practise(from 2010). I went back into the committee in 2012 and subsequently as Johor CME Chairman since 2013. I was well known for my articles in Berita MMA since 2004, many of which has become a reality soon after. All the articles that I wrote in MMA magazine are available over HERE. I stopped writing since 2012 due to some conflict with the editor.
For the first time since 1994, Johor will be organising the National AGM, the 54th. Almost the whole organising committee do not have any experience organising it before. Thus, it was a great challenge to organise this event despite our busy schedule. In fact, I could not attend all the weekly meetings due to my busy clinical life of being On-Call on weekly basis. I was mainly involved in organising the symposium and booths.
We all know that the medical field is not what it use to be. Quality has deteriorate and life is not as “easy” as what many would like to think. Oversupply of doctors due to commercialisation of medical education will become a reality soon. I first wrote about this in 2005. MMA is the oldest and only medical organisation that the government talks to. Our current/outgoing President, Dr NKS Tharmaseelan has been one of the most vocal president to date. Many issues were brought forward to mainstream media including the oversupply and quality of doctors. Unfortunately, despite having close to 40 000 registered doctors in Malaysia, only about 1/4 are members of MMA. Many complain about MMA but it is the only organisation that can voice out our issues/grouses. Many in government sector do not know that most of the PERKS that they are receiving now are due to constant discussion between MMA and the government. These includes the time based promotion, on call allowance, specialist allowance etc etc. We may have a number of splinter parties but we still need to work together with MMA to achieve our goals. Medicine is at its crossroads. I hope every doctor would at least become an ordinary member to strengthen the membership of this association and make our voice stronger.I never gave up my MMA membership despite my past dissatisfaction with them.
Thus, I hope every MMA member can take a few days off to attend this important AGM in Johor Bahru. It will be held from 29/05/2014 till 31/05/2014. Election for President Elect and Secretary will be held during this AGM. IT will be the beginning of school holidays and thus make sure you bring along your passport for a visit to Singapore or Batam.
I hope I will see you all in JB………………………
Pagalavan's Avatar 
What about MPCN?! Is MMA better or MPCN?! Who is to represent the fraternity nowadays?
Both have their role but still need to work together
But it seems that most of my friends are asking me to join MPCN… saying that there are nearly 6000 members there, and very active in sharing info in their FB page! MMA does not seem to have that, or does it?
MMA Do have a Facebook page. MPCN started in social media. Yes, many share info but the active participants are only the few committee members. MPCN is more targeted to the young doctors who are Internet savvy. They have their role but both need to work together. We can’t have two organisation doing discussions on their own.
TQVM doc . Yes guys listen listen listen . We need that unity … all of us (almost) in MPCN(MPCAM the registered body ) are members of MMA. Time is a Great Healer . When we formed MPCN/MPCAM we had nothing against any one person but because you sat on the CHAIR we blamed you and felt the dissatisfaction .But now with the assault on our noble profession we have to get together and form ONE LOUD VOICE to fight for our rights and that of our very own beloved patients . I am now seeing the 3rd Generation of my patients and going into the 4th . This shows that patients trust thier doctors more than anyone else . It is so sad to realise that MOH / MMC our government organisation look upon us as criminals and treat us unkindly because of the PHFSA formed by former Health Ministers and Director Generals . There is no more future for the private general practitioners / specialists because of the culling that is going around by the little napoleons who have manipulated the PHFSA . My friends put your hands / feet up to have a united front . There is so much we need to do together . … we need to start now to have a brighter future .Unity thy name is ” Doctor “!! Be there for the AGM starting 29th – 31 May 2014.
What ever the organizations are, the common goal were the same. Each organization were form to fight for the rights and against any bullies form any parties. MMA and MPCAM are two organization form by doctors for the doctors and I believe they fight for the same objectives. What will be the core background is UNITY. Currently MPCAM looks at MMA as senior brother and fighting the same issue as MPCAM. Looking at current situation in MMA, there are areas that need to be strengthened. One important point that MMA need to improves is the communications among doctors. The number of members in organizations counts. Same goals counts, Unity counts. I am hoping that new elected central committee will be able to improves communications among members and recruit more doctors to come into MMA and work together for the benefits of all doctors regardless of race, religion and political inclination. There must be a new approach an innovation in getting new members especially the young ones. It a shame to see us getting only 1/4 of total practicing doctor in the country whereas for other professional it is close to 100%. Many of the members even lapse as they are not sure of benefits becoming a member. Hopefully during the coming MMA AGM in JB, each members attending will be able to construct a new systematic approach in getting things done and not just follow what the previous batch did. Dato Tharmasellan had shown that he can change the way to ensure MMA will be hear all over the country and for that I will put 10 thumbs up ( if i have 10).
Its time we unite and unity means strength. Doctors have been long divided thus the end result will be bad for us. Come to MMA AGM end of this month and this meeting is for members only. Your voice will be important at this meeting to shape a greater future.
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