The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) is deeply disappointed by further delay in the increase of doctors’ on-call allowance.
This much awaited increase, which was first announced at last year’s budget tabling by the prime minister under Budget 2025 and further reiterated by the health minister, should be implemented this year as promised.
Our doctors in the public health care sector are once again left with uncertainty despite their dedication and service under immense pressure, a situation that is both unfair and demoralising for the profession.
MMA has repeatedly been highlighting the need and justification for this increase through press statements and in presentations to the health minister and to the Ministry of Health throughout the year. The announcement that it may now only be implemented next year is disappointing.
MMA wishes to highlight that the on-call allowance is not an allowance paid for the work done as per all civil servants, but for work above and extra from that – for the long nights, weekends and public holidays where health care workers have to work to care for patients.
This is not a choice but sacrifices they must make to ensure their patients get treatment and care 24 hours a day seven days a week.
The government must realise that if it fails to care for its doctors and distrust creeps in, it risks losing them, further crippling an already overstretched public health care system.
We urge the government to act with urgency and honour its promises by delivering a fair increase in on-call allowance for all doctors in public health care within this year, as promised. The quantum of RM9.16 an hour paid to our medical officers during these extra hours of work has to be revised to a fair quantum.
Also, it has been 12 years since the last review of on-call allowances and our doctors have waited long enough.
We also urge the government to place the financing of public health care human resources at the forefront of its budget priorities. Domestic needs, particularly for human resources in our public health care system, must take precedence in this year’s budget planning.
Only with this level of commitment can we build a resilient health care system and ensure that the rakyat receive the quality care they deserve.
This statement was issued by MMA president Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira.
- This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.
