The Health Ministry is reviewing the rules and regulations regarding consultation and procedural fees imposed by private hospitals following complaints from the public.

The ministry's medical practice division director Dr Nooraini Baba said the review would be carried out under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998.

"The Act stipulates control over consultancy fees imposed by private clinics and hospitals," he told reporters after presenting an accreditation certificate from the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health to Pantai Hospital in Cheras.

She said the government would discuss with private and government hospitals on why there are huge disparities in the fees for certain procedures.

For instance, she said, government hospitals had their own fees for surgeries to remove appendix.

"But there are (private) doctors who impose separate fees for the surgery and for the removal of appendix," she said.

- Bernama