A new Healthcare Services Bill will introduce stricter licensing requirements for health screening services. Health screening packages offered by companies contain a set of 10-30 health tests, and health practitioners are noting that many of the tests may be unnecessary for a particular patient and lead to false-positives and unnecessary treatments. It has been recommended that a national committee advise which tests should be included in various packages. The other concern is with follow-up evaluations. It has been recommended that private screening companies be required to have a licensed doctor or nurse conduct follow-up consultations. The bill is still under consultation with the Ministry of Health.
August 09, 2017
