KUALA LUMPUR, August 3 — The Ministry of Health (MOH) today justified restricting maternity leave to 60 days for medical officers in public health clinics in Hulu Langat, Selangor.
Selangor state health director Dr Ummi Kalthom Shamsudin said the decision for the Hulu Langat district health office (PKD) to “temporarily” cut maternity leave entitlement from 90 to 60 days for medical officers in Klinik Kesihatan was made at a meeting last June 26 among Hulu Langat district health officers, division heads, unit heads, and clinic heads.
“As many as seven medical officers took simultaneous and overlapping maternity leave in a few Klinik Kesihatan throughout June and July 2024,” Dr Ummi Kalthom said in a statement.
“Besides that, several medical officers who were instructed to report for duty at Hulu Langat PKD had rejected their placements.
“If maternity leave was not restricted as reported, this would increase the workload and pressures on health care workers who are serving the health needs of the people.”
CodeBlue reported yesterday that the Hulu Langat PKD capped maternity leave entitlement for medical officers in all 15 public health clinics in the district at 60 days, effective last June 27, due to a “critical shortage” of doctors in all Klinik Kesihatan.
“In principle, the Ministry of Health will ensure the continuity of service to the general public,” said Dr Ummi Kalthom.
“This should be done without affecting the quality of service, patient safety, and health workers’ welfare in general.”
The Selangor state health department (JKN) cited the Public Service Department’s (JPA) Human Resource Service Circular Version 1.0 (2022): Ceraian SR.5.4.1 that states civil servants’ entitlement to maternity leave of between 60 and 90 days for each birth, with “flexibility” permitted in determining the period of maternity leave.
Under the 2022 amendment of the Employment Act 1955 that covers all private sector employees – which came into force on January 1, 2023 – minimum paid maternity leave entitlement was increased from 60 to 98 days, matching international labour standards.
“Taking all this into account, the Hulu Langat PKD took the temporary measure of setting maternity leave at 60 days for each birth, the minimum mandatory leave,” said Dr Ummi Kalthom.
“However, the Hulu Langat PKD will consider any application for longer maternity leave on a case by case basis; each approval is subject to the exigency of service.”
The Selangor state health director added that the Hulu Langat PKD held a dialogue session between district health officers and medical officers yesterday to explain the current situation and measures of improvement in the district.
“Besides that, JKN Selangor is working on filling medical officer vacancies in Hulu Langat PKD as soon as possible.”
