We refer to the recent announcement made by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim regarding improvements under the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA).
We would like to express appreciation for the government’s efforts to enhance the remuneration structure and career progression of civil servants through the implementation of this system.
However, the recent announcement involving the upgrade of the clerical service scheme from Grade 1 to Grade 5 has raised concerns among paramedic personnel within the Ministry of Health (MOH), as similar consideration does not appear to have been extended to certain health care support schemes.
Among the schemes affected are Public Health Assistants, Community Nurses, and Dental Surgery Assistants.
For context, these schemes require personnel to undergo formal paramedical training ranging from two to two and a half years at the MOH’s Training Institutes and Health Sciences Colleges before being qualified to serve within the ministry.
This training is structured, competency-based, and specifically designed to equip personnel with the technical knowledge and professional skills required to function as paramedics within the health care system.
Despite undergoing such professional training and carrying out essential roles in health care service delivery, these schemes remain classified under Grade U1, a classification which, in my view, no longer reflects the level of training, competency, and responsibilities expected of these roles.
Personnel within these schemes play an important role in supporting Malaysia’s health care system, particularly in areas such as public health, community health services, as well as clinical and dental support services.
In light of this, we respectfully call upon PM Anwar and Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad to give due consideration to this matter and to review the current classification of these schemes, with a view towards upgrading them from Grade U1 to Grade U5, in line with their training, competencies, and contributions.
We believe that such a review would promote fairness within the public service structure, while also strengthening recognition and motivation among paramedic personnel who continue to serve the nation.
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