MaNaDr Clinic has been stripped of its license following investigations into extremely short teleconsultations. The Ministry of Health (MOH) announced this decision on December 20, stating that the clinic would no longer provide outpatient services at its premises at 371 Beach Road City Gate, patients’ homes, or via teleconsultations.
The clinic received a notice in October from MOH indicating the intention to revoke its license. After reviewing the findings and MaNaDr Clinic’s responses, MOH determined that the clinic operated with a culture that disregarded ethical and clinical standards. This assessment stemmed from the observation of widespread inappropriate practices, including teleconsultations of very short durations.
MOH revealed that in a sampled month, over 100,000 teleconsultations conducted by MaNaDr Clinic lasted one minute or less. The shortest consultation recorded was a mere second. Such practices pointed to a lack of effective oversight and governance within the organization, raising concerns about the clinic’s ability to provide consistent, clinically appropriate, and ethical medical care.
As a result of the license revocation, MaNaDr Clinic will also lose its related accreditations and participation in MOH's financial schemes, such as the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS), MediSave, and Healthier SG. The ministry has directed the clinic to notify affected patients to ensure continuity of care, advising them to seek alternative CHAS, MediSave, or Healthier SG clinics nearby.
Additionally, 41 doctors associated with MaNaDr Clinic, who conducted teleconsultations, will be referred to the Singapore Medical Council for potential professional misconduct. These referrals could lead to further disciplinary actions against the individuals involved.
MOH emphasized the importance of compliance with ethical and clinical standards in teleconsultation services. It will continue monitoring licensed outpatient providers offering teleconsultations to ensure adherence to the necessary requirements. The ministry reiterated its commitment to taking firm regulatory actions against providers that fail to meet the standards.
This case highlights the need for robust oversight in telemedicine, an area that has seen rapid growth in recent years. As teleconsultations become an integral part of healthcare delivery, ensuring the quality and integrity of such services remains paramount. The MaNaDr Clinic case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting clinical and ethical responsibilities in the provision of medical care.
Patients affected by the closure of MaNaDr Clinic are encouraged to explore other licensed providers to continue receiving appropriate care. MOH remains vigilant in safeguarding public health and ensuring the trustworthiness of healthcare services in the country.
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