Kuala lumpur: The government's initiative to expedite the hiring of 4,352 positions at public healthcare facilities, including roles for contract doctors, has been positively received by medical associations and civil society organizations. They emphasize, however, the necessity for long-term reforms to tackle systemic shortages and enhance talent retention in the healthcare sector.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Datuk Dr. Kalwinder Singh Khaira described the initiative as a 'much-needed step forward' for strengthening the public healthcare system. He expressed hope that permanent appointments would be made based on seniority and years of service. Dr. Khaira also urged the government to extend permanent positions beyond the current vacancies and gradually eliminate the contract employment scheme for doctors.
He further advocated for offering permanent positions to all new doctors entering the public healthcare system, a practice similar to other civil service sectors, to help restore morale, retain talent, and provide job security along with clear pathways for career progression.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in a special announcement, stated that the decision to accelerate the filling of healthcare vacancies was made to address the urgent needs within the country's healthcare sector.
Dr. M. Sathiskumar, president of the Indian Public Servants Association of Putrajaya (IMAIYAM), highlighted the importance of the move for improving services and creating career opportunities for young medical professionals.
The Hartal Doktor Kontrak (HDK) movement, which advocates for the rights of contract doctors, also welcomed the announcement. However, they pointed out that the move does not completely resolve the issue of healthcare worker shortages, as it focuses on changing contract doctors' status to permanent without increasing workforce numbers.
HDK spokesman Dr. Muhammad Yassin stressed that long-term reforms should also address education, medical student intake, scholarship opportunities, and work placement policies. He noted that unresolved salary and allowance issues could perpetuate the trend of doctors migrating overseas, such as to Singapore.