00:00The Malaysian Society of Anesthesiologists and the College of Anesthesiologists have raised concern over a circular by a third-party administrator,
00:10urging surgeons to prioritize local over general anesthesia.
00:14They called it a profit-driven intrusion into medical decision-making and an unethical attempt to dictate patient care,
00:21stressing that treatment should be based on professional judgment, patient needs, and evidence, not financial imperatives.
00:28The group said anesthesia requires careful individualized decisions, and while local anesthesia may suit many procedures,
00:37applying it universally without proper assessment risk-compromising patient safety and ethical standards.
00:44They warned that undermining clinical judgment could pressure doctors to prioritize costs over care,
00:49endangering patients, and exposing practitioners to potential litigation.
00:53MSA and COA said decisions on anesthesia and surgery type must remain with the treating surgeon and anesthesiologists
01:02in consultation with the patient based on clinical factors.
01:07They highlighted cases where insurers denied approvals despite proper justification,
01:12forcing patients to pay up front before making claims and adding unnecessary administrative burdens.
01:17The groups urged insurers and TPAs to respect medical autonomy and collaborate with healthcare professionals
01:24to prioritize patient safety and clinical outcomes, a call echoed by other medical associations.
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