We refer to media reports published on 18th July on the 200 doctors refusing posts in Sarawak.
The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) urges the doctors concerned to accept the offer and report to work there.
We wish to remind these doctors that as civil servants, there are rules and regulations in their appointment that they have a duty and responsibility to adhere to. An appeal can be sent, but first accept the post and report for duty.
We could not agree more that Sarawak is in need of more doctors.
However, we urge the Ministry of Health (MOH) to also take into consideration appeals made by doctors with valid reasons for not accepting the post.
Two hundred doctors, or 25 per cent, is a high rejection rate. However, we view the 75 per cent (600 doctors) accepting their posts as encouraging news.
The MMA takes note of these efforts by the MOH and the Public Service Department (JPA) in creating these posts and welcomes the move.
Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai is the president of the Malaysian Medical Association.
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