At some point in time, each one of us feels like being our own boss. The reasons may be multi-fold like, long working hours, less pay or unconducive work environment.

So are you a doctor facing the same dilemma? After years of experience practising at various hospitals, you’re looking to set up your own clinic in Malaysia? Then you’ve landed in the right place.

Here is a comprehensive guide to how you can set up your own clinic in Malaysia. First of all, let’s have a brief discussion about the healthcare conditions of Malaysia.

The Malaysian healthcare system is a two-tier organization i.e. Public Universal healthcare system and a Private healthcare system. Gradually, the Malaysian population is shifting towards private healthcare system due to better facilities available as compared to Public healthcare system. Also, the problem of overcrowding is prevalent in Public healthcare system.

Hence setting up your private clinic at this point in time is a quite lucrative option.

In Malaysia, the private healthcare system is regulated and monitored by the Ministry of Health. The Licensing Unit of the Ministry is responsible for issuing licenses to private hospitals, maternity homes, clinics, and nursing homes.

In recent times, with the rise in population and the disposable income with the people of Malaysia, the demand for private health care system has increased many folds. Thus, there was a great need to put an efficient law in place to govern the private healthcare system. This led to the formation of the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 and Regulations 2006, which simplified the licensing and incorporation procedure for the private medical services in Malaysia.

The Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act defines a private clinic as the one which is built on any premises other than the government or Public Healthcare facility. Also, it must be intended to be used for practising medicine and outpatient treatment.

Following are included in the definition of treatment:

  • Identification, diagnosis and proper treatment of the physical or mental ailment that a patient is suffering from.
  • Emphasis on the preventive or promotive type of healthcare.
  • To help get the person relief of any abnormal condition prevailing in his body or mind.

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Steps to set up a Clinic in Malaysia

Having understood the basic structure of the Malaysian healthcare system, let’s move toward the step-by-step guide on how to set up your own clinic in Malaysia.

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1. Location

Make sure to have proper research on the location of your new clinic. Many factors will affect your selection of location like the population density, residential or commercial area, the financial status of the diaspora and most importantly presence of other clinics. You wouldn’t like too much competition from other players. Also having ample parking area availability is always advantageous while catering to patients.

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2. Obtain the Premises

If you have your own building then it’s hunky dory. If you are going to rent then be ready with advance rent amount of nearly 3 months. Also, prepare a proper rental agreement after discussion with the building owner.

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3. Registration Process

The Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 and Regulations 2006 states that anyone looking to set up his private clinic in Malaysia is required to apply for registration with the respective state. If all the requirements are fulfilled, the state office may accept the application after taking a small amount of processing fee. Afterwards, you will be issued a Letter of No Objection, so that the interior renovation and furnishing of the clinic can be started.

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4. Proper Floor Plan Layout

This is yet another crucial part of the process as various physical criteria have to be approved stated under Act 586. For example, room list, corridors measurements, janitor closet, etc. It is necessary to work closely with the contractor hired to draw out the layout of your clinic. The layout will include measurements for various rooms like treatment room, waiting area, consultation room, pantry, pharmacy, dispensary, etc.

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5. Annual Practicing Certificate

Every medical practitioner needs to be registered with the MMC (Malaysian Medical Council) as per the Medical Act 1971 and must necessarily apply for Annual Practising Certificate (APC) every year. When you have kick-started your own private clinic, it is highly recommended to amend your APC to include your new clinic address. This can be quite easily done at the Ministry of Health, Putrajaya.

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6. License for Advertisement

Once you’ve set up your clinic, it’s time to get going with the advertisements in order to attract more customers to your clinic. But before that, you need to obtain a license for clinic advertisement issued your local council – if you are in KL it would be by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL). The processing of the license takes approximately two months. Once approved, you may start your advertisement campaign and march ahead of your competitors.

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7. Procurement of Drugs

To procure medicines and drugs from various manufacturing companies directly, you need to open an account with them. The necessary document required for opening this account is your APC (Annual Practicing Certificate). Once the account is active, you can place orders for drug supply.

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8. Staff

Another major determinant for successful clinic operation is the presence of well-qualified staff and helpers. While hiring a great team, ensure beforehand the staff’s EPF and SOCSO procedures are completed at the nearby KWSP/EPF and PERKESO offices.

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9. X-ray Machine Installation

If you are planning to install an X-ray machine at your clinic, there is a different license that you will need to acquire for this specific purpose.

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10. Companies Commission of Malaysia

The final mandatory requirement to set up your own clinic is to get registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia, under the Registration of Business Act 1956.

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Malaysia is also becoming a dream destination for foreign practitioners to have their clinic set up in Malaysia. The foreign companies are required to have their company incorporated under the Companies Act 2016 if they wish to set up a private practice in Malaysia.

If you are starting your very own clinic or healthcare facility here in Malaysia, the first thing you need to do is to incorporate a company or register your clinic as a company. BAS specialises in company incorporation and if you contact us today we can set up a Free Consultation session on how to setup a company before going on to starting a clinic or health care centre. Contact us today via whatsapp or here to book an appointment with us. Come in and find out more about company incorporation.