The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) applauds the government’s opening up of interim contracts for contract doctors, however, some clarification is needed.
We refer to the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) written reply in Parliament on July 11, 2024, stating that the Public Services Commission of Malaysia (SPA) will be offering a special intake for doctors whose seven-year contract tenure has ended, as well as for doctors who have prematurely resigned from government service, so that they can return to serve the people in public health care facilities.
Following this, SPA opened up a portal on July 18 for applications. However, what is confusing is that SPA has invited current contract doctors to apply for this interim contract as well.
We seek clarification on whether contract doctors are still being hired on the three years-plus-two years-plus-two years tenure, or if this has changed.
If this arrangement has changed, we request that both the MOH and the Public Service Department (JPA) announce the guaranteed tenure for contract doctors in civil service.
However, if it has not been changed, we request that both the MOH and JPA define clearly who they are referring to as “calon masih berkhidmat di KKM” (candidate still serving with MOH).
Importantly, both the MOH and JPA must also clarify what the starting salary is for doctors who have been offered this interim contract. It is currently unclear if the doctors applying will carry on with their previous (current), salary or if their salary will be reset.
Lastly, clarifications are also needed on whether doctors who signed up for this contract will be made to relocate to a different MOH facility.
Our doctors are our country’s assets. We hope the MOH and JPA understand the need to take good care of them.
Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz is president of the Malaysian Medical Association.
- This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.
