Malaysia Veterinary Forum (Archive)

nora · Joined: 18 Sep 2007 Posts: 2

Hi to all.

I'm new to this forum.
I really hope to receive some advice on how to set up my own clinic and what are the procedures involves?
Your assistance is highly appreciated.

Dr HanMRCVS · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 557 Location: Johor Bahru

well hi nora, are you a vet? how many years have you in experience in small animal practice?

nora · Joined: 18 Sep 2007 Posts: 2

Dear Dr Han,

I'm not a vet, but I have been asked by my elder brother to assist him to set up a clinic for him as currently he is very busy giving lectures at a university. He's been teaching at a vet faculty since he get his PhD more than 10 years ago. He plans to leave the university soon and starts his own vet clinic.

I know how to set up a sdn bhd company and sole proprietorship but I'm really clueless as how to set up a clinic. Do I need special consent from related ministry/ authority?

I'll be really grateful if you could advise me on this. Thank you.

Dr HanMRCVS · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 557 Location: Johor Bahru

it is good that your brother and yourself is thinking to go into private practice, as much it is a challenge, it is also a learning process. if your brother is registered as a practising vet in Malaysia (Malaysian Vet Council), he should have no problem in opting for private practice. MVC is the sole body regulating the registration of vet practitioners in Malaysia. Other associations like the MSAVA (malaysian small animal vet assoc) and VAM (vet assoc. malaysia) are also relavant, esp in networking. just make sure his contract with UPM and the government is all sorted out first.

I guess the next logical thing to do is to contact his previous coursemates who is in practice in order for him to get more information about the various medications and their respective suppliers together with their contact numbers. local introduction can be done via a visit to the nearest jabatan haiwan. jabatan haiwan does not regulate private clinics, so you dropping by is merely a wise courtesy call.

just a few more questions:

1. what is your brother teaching in UPM?
2. which state do you intend to start a practice?

if he has not been in clinical practice for quite sometime, it will be wise of him to hook up with a private practice first, to get a feel for a few months before going out with guns blazing. cause private practice is a tough job! and 10 years of phd in a faculty without clinical practice is a long time!

in fact he can also take time out and go for refresher courses conducted overseas if he wants, while at the same time allow him to see how things are done over there! different countries have different approaches to the same problem!

if in johor, there may be a few more regulations to sort out before embarking on a practice. if not in johor, then its ok.

Dr Kwok · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 130 Location: Selangor

Dr han,
Did you do research and accounting before you start ? These are the questions i ponder upon:

- do i need to find out how many ppl keep pets around the area ?
- how do i see the market around the area i choose ?
- How much i need to spend for renovation for a clinic like your place and the basic equipment ?
-normally when can you get your first profit after operating ?
- Kind explain the process of setting a private practice

So far, i only know the rental, electrical bills and water bills, cost and suppliers of medicines and other products .

Thanks and hope to see your reply soon

Dr HanMRCVS · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 557 Location: Johor Bahru

well as like any other business, acute business acumen will definately go along way and it is up to you to do your own research, fact finding and rely on your gut feelings before embarking out on your own.

how much to spend on a practice very much depends on you, but as for me, i started up right off the bat with a good microscope, ultrasound, gas machine, steam autoclave, pulse oximeter and a good opthalmoscope/otoscope.

slowly i have acquired more 'toys' to facilitate my consultation like an LCD tv linked to the microscope, internet and hopefully more diagnostic facilities.

but i still think human capital is the most important in any practice and continual professional development is the best way to upgrade the standard of your practice!