KUALA LUMPUR, April 16 — The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has welcomed the six-month contract extensions for some government doctors, pharmacists, and dentists, but said this does not address career continuity.
MMA’s Section Concerning House Officers and Medical Officers (SCHOMOS) has asked for a 10-year contract extension for contract medical officers to allow for specialisation and gazettement before absorption as permanent staff for successful specialists to provide much needed services to the country.
“The other relevant issue of the lack of available permanent positions has also not been addressed. When MOH (Ministry of Health) had previously requested for 22,500 positions, Only 10,000 was granted, leaving us still in a shortfall,” MMA president Dr N. Ganabaskaran said in a statement.
“The government needs to ensure that the growth of the health care services to meet the population growth is matched with an increase in permanent positions to ensure that services are not compromised.”
Health Minister Dr Adham Baba announced yesterday a six-month contract extension for government doctors, pharmacists, and dentists, whose service ended late last year or is due for termination this year.
The contract renewals involved 1,139 pharmacy officers on the UF41 civil service grade, 852 UG41 dental officers, and 79 UD41 medical officers. Dr Adham said that the extensions were made to help MOH tackle the Covid-19 outbreak.
Sarawakian lawmakers like Meradong assemblyman Ding Kuong Hiing and Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii have criticised the short-term contract renewals for public health care professionals.
