KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry (MoH) received 103 complaints against aesthetic service providers between January and August, this year.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the reports were on disfigurements and even deaths arising from aesthetic procedures performed by incompetent medical and non-medical practitioners.
He said the government had initiated steps to better regulate the poorly monitored beauty industry.
"The Domestic Trade Consumer Affairs Ministry and MoH have been engaging with stakeholders to gain better clarity and to develop regulations that will safeguard the public and allow the growth of this industry.
"Regulating this industry is beneficial as practitioners should never be allowed to infringe on medical procedures," he said in his speech at the first Asia Dermatology & Aesthetic Medicine Summit (Adams) 2022 today.
Although there was no internationally accepted definition for aesthetic medicine, this field could be deemed aspirational medicine as medical professionals help to fulfil their patient's dreams or strive towards a better aesthetic ideal, he said.
"We have seen tremendous growth in this field in the past two decades with people publicly embracing aesthetic medicine to not only look good but also to feel better."
When providing any medical, aesthetic treatment, the apparatus, equipment, and substance of medical products must meet the minimum standards prescribed by Private Medical Practice Control Section, he said.
He said devices and apparatus used also must be approved by MoH and the Medical Device Authority.
"Aesthetic medical procedures, especially those which are invasive and minimally invasive, should only be performed by qualified registered medical practitioners at premises registered or licensed under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586)."
Khairy said the National Registry of RMP Practising Aesthetic Medical Practice was available at the MoH Portal.
There were currently 478 registered medical practitioners with letters of credentials and privilege, he said.
Later, he said MoH was particularly concerned about beauty centres that were not under the supervision of his ministry.
He said medical aesthetic clinics were under the supervision of MoH and beauty centres came under the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minisry (KPDNHEP), and that there was already an existing mechanism to supervise the outlets.
"MoH and KPDNHEP are always discussing (on the matter). We just want to make sure that procedures done at beauty centres do not involve medical, invasive procedures.
"Supervision and enforcement actions must be done seriously, because we have received various complaints on problems faced by clients who received treatment at uncertified places or through devices handled by unqualified personnel."