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THE use of the title ‘Dr’ should not be misleading, especially by medical graduates who are not yet registered as medical practitioners with the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC).
Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) President, Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo said they took note of the MMC’s latest statement regarding the use of the title, while recognising the MMC’s role as the statutory regulatory body for medical practice in the country.
He said that clarification from a professional and ethical perspective was important following the increased public attention on the issue and the concerns that have arisen among medical professionals and the public.
According to him, the misuse of medical titles or qualifications has the potential to undermine public trust and threaten patient safety.
“In an era of easily disseminated health information via social media, it is more important to ensure that only registered and qualified individuals are seen speaking or acting in a medical capacity on health issues,” he said in a statement.
Dr Thirunavukarasu explained that while the academic title ‘Dr’ can be used by individuals who have completed a medical degree, the use of the title does not confer the right to practice medicine or give the impression that a person is registered with the MMC.
He said that the Medical Act 1971 under Section 33 stipulates that it is an offence for an individual who is not registered or exempted under the act to use a name, title or description that may mislead the public into believing that they are qualified or authorised to practice medicine or surgery.
According to him, the real issue does not lie in the title alone, but rather in the context of its use.
“When the title ‘Dr’ is used by an individual who is not registered in a medical or health context, whether physically or digitally, especially when providing public communication related to health, advice, product endorsement or treatment, there is a risk that the public will believe that the individual is legally registered,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of the public checking the registration and licensing status of medical practitioners through the official MMC website and reporting to the relevant authorities if there are individuals providing health advice or services without valid registration and licenses.
Dr Thirunavukarasu called on all parties including medical graduates, media practitioners, product promoters and digital content creators to practice responsibility, transparency and ethical considerations in the use of professional titles in the health context.
According to him, MMA will continue to work with all stakeholders including MMC to maintain the integrity of the profession and ensure that public confidence in the country's medical system is maintained. – December 31, 2025