The recent Ministry of Health (MOH) implementation of several new plans is rather intriguing, especially with regard to Rakan KKM and gazetted specialists’ allowances.
I think we are not addressing the elephant in the room. The main issue is increasing the number of medical staff in tandem with the highly demanding work required in the medical field. The issues of pay upgrades and technological advancements, which are required for the current trend of treatments, must also be addressed.
However, the MOH is barking up the wrong tree again.
The Rakan KKM programme will definitely make the medical staff focus on paying patients. rather than non-paying patients, since there is a reward in return. This is the main reason why so many doctors are leaving for the private sector, namely, the lucrative pay.
Does the MOH plan to build new private wings and employ more staff? Are they recruiting more workforce to ensure appropriate services can be provided?
Otherwise, the current cohort of workers may not be able to cope with additional work and cramped wards, and still cater to any added paying patients, who would certainly prefer better service for their payments.
So, does it actually solve the problem, or instead, make it worse?
The second issue is regarding the payment of allowances for gazetted specialists. It appears as though we are rebranding what used to exist, the difference is that the payment is now given on the commencement of gazettement, while previously, payments were backdated. There is no extra allowance given to gazetted specialists.
I really wonder what the thought process is behind all these new implementations, which are recycled old ideas that do not solve the current dilemmas, raising more queries instead.
I think we should take the bull by the horns and focus on increasing manpower and offer payments that are attractive, in order to retain and gather more health care workers. Otherwise, more will be ever ready to leave for better opportunities.
A dynamic task force that can come up with workable ideas should be formed to sort out this critical issue as soon as possible before things get out of hand.
Dr Nagarajan T. Vellasamy is a retired consultant general surgeon.
- This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.
