CECs are established to assist licensees and the doctor to provide ethical care and treatment of patients for a list of prescribed medical treatments, in the Third Schedule of the Healthcare Services (General) Regulations 2021.

These cases require CEC review due to the complex nature of the treatment/procedure and ethical concerns which may arise, as societal values may be undermined and/or the values of the medical practitioners may be challenged.

These requirements are not entirely new as there was a prescribed list under the PHMCA, although the list has been expanded under the HCSA. The prescribed list was determined with inputs sought from ethics experts.

Licensees or healthcare practitioners cannot proceed with any treatment or procedure if the CEC is of the view that a treatment or procedure is unethical. Penalties will be imposed for non-compliance