The Ministry of Health (MOH) must consider halting the planned implementation of the Waktu Bekerja Berlainan (WBB) pilot shift system in order to get more inputs from all stakeholders to ensure it does not create “harm” to the fraternity, as this may be a push factor that may aggravate the human resource management and distribution issues facing the health care sector.
This proper and more comprehensive engagement should be done with stakeholders and be allowed to give a more holistic input, rather than a rushed hybrid townhall that does not give ample platform for it to be discussed comprehensively.
I propose for such an initiative to be brought to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health for more oversight as this is a fundamental policy change.
As such, the decision to implement such a policy should be suspended until all relevant stakeholders are engaged and an understanding can be made for the benefit of the fraternity.
Policies must be designed with input from frontline medical officers as their insights are key to developing reforms that are practical, effective, and tailored to the realities of their work environment. On top of that, it must be communicated clearly in order to avoid confusion and resistance.
While the health minister has claimed that it is a proposal, there is already a signed official circular from the Ministry on the implementation of this initiative. This necessitates a clear explanation on the rationale of the policy, how it will benefit the doctors, and also address some legitimate concerns that have been raised.
However, the core issue must be addressed, especially when it comes to human resource management in the health care system. The current health care distribution of our health care workforce is already struggling to manage high workloads.
Any reduction in work hours without addressing manpower shortages will impact inpatient care and the running of clinics and other hospital services.
This core issue requires all hands on deck to resolve including to find ways to cauterise the haemorrhage of health care workers from the service.
An independent Health Services Commission could be established, consisting of experts from different fields, including the Ministry of Health, to put all brains together to specifically address this issue before we lose even more of our health care workers.
Dr Kelvin Yii is the Member of Parliament for Bandar Kuching.
- This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.
