Built by GPs. Driven by GPs.For the future of GPs.

The discussions highlighted the many challenges faced by GPs, particularly solo practitioners. Rising costs, administrative burdens, corporate pressures, healthcare policies, purchasing power, access to resources and the lack of a collective voice were among the issues that repeatedly surfaced.

It became increasingly clear that discussions alone were not enough. Solutions were needed.

At that time, there were discussions about forming another medical association that could represent GPs and advocate for their interests. However, the three eventual founders of MHSB, Dr Siva, Dr Ben and Dr Mahen, had a different vision.

They believed that another association, with its own structures, processes and limitations, might not provide the flexibility and speed required to create practical solutions for GPs.

The three founders decided to pursue this vision despite facing opposition and differences of opinion regarding the proposed direction. With the encouragement and support of some of the key members of the original PJ WhatsApp group, they moved forward. And so, Merpati HealthServices Berhad was born.

“A business entity created by GPs, for GPs.”

From the beginning, the vision was never simply to build another company. The larger ambition was for GPs to eventually become shareholders of the Berhad, creating a model where the doctors themselves could have a stake in the organisation created to serve them.

Multiple meetings were held with stakeholders, GP leaders and other interested parties to explore how MHSB could be developed into an organisation that would genuinely work in the interests of GPs.

The next challenge was to bring GPs together not merely as members of an association, but as a collective network with real commercial strength.

MHSB embarked on a campaign to recruit clinic owners through a Memorandum of Understanding, allowing participating clinics to identify themselves as MHSB Affiliated Clinics.

As the number of affiliated clinics grew, these clinics came together under the banner of the Merpati Alliance Group, providing a platform for clinic owners to collaborate, share opportunities and collectively strengthen the position of independent GPs. As the network expanded further, state-based groups were established to allow GPs to connect at a more local level.

The original PJ GP WhatsApp group eventually evolved as well. With MHSB developing into a business and professional network, the original group was later renamed the Dr4Eva WhatsApp Group, retaining its identity as an academic and professional discussion platform. The original spirit of GP collaboration continued, but in a different form.

Today, MHSB has approximately 1,500 affiliated clinics, with the network continuing to grow day by day. But the numbers tell only part of the story.

At its heart, MHSB remains a story about a group of GPs who recognised that the challenges facing independent and solo practitioners could not be solved by discussion alone.