3 April 2023

Urgent Attention Needed: Government Urged to Expedite Solutions to Resolve Contract Doctors' Issue

Despite various protests and petition in the past, the long-standing issue faced by contract doctors who struggle to get permanent positions in the government service remains unresolved.

The issue reached a boiling point recently as a group of contract doctors who call themselves Mogok Doktor Malaysia, indicated that they would go through with a 3-day strike starting from 3 April 2023. According to them, 10,000 to 12,000 healthcare personnel are participating in the strike.

Consequently, the healthcare system and facilities nationwide will be affected to an extent, and some may even face a total collapse within the span of these 3 days. Especially for patients who are undergoing treatment at present or need emergency care, they will no doubt feel the effects of this protest.

The contract doctors have their own valid reasons to join the strike, thus the government must pay serious attention to the gravity of the situation and expedite solutions to resolve this issue. Furthermore, if we look at the statistics, the gap between number of doctors and number of patients have widened over the years, leading to patients waiting longer for treatment due to a shortage of doctors.

Previously, the Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said that the Health Ministry is in discussions with the Public Service Department (JPA) to absorb contract staffs as permanent staffs via a non-pensionable scheme. While this is a positive step, I urge the government to go a step further and make them permanent positions with EPF as well.

Hence, we hope that the new high-level committee established by the government can formulate an effective solution to ensure the interest and future of these contract doctors are better safeguarded.

I am confident that the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has heard the cries and grievances of this group, particularly because in 2021 he also advocated for 10,500 contract doctors to be absorbed as permanent staffs as recognition of their contributions during the Covid-19 pandemic, and simultaneously to bolster our healthcare service.

Thus, I urge the government to focus on finding solutions above all, considering that the issue has existed unresolved for so long. Otherwise, the issue would lead to the loss of healthcare professionals who are vital in sustaining and uplifting Malaysia’s healthcare system.

-MCA online-