28 August 2026
I have experienced both casual unkindness and spontaneous kindness in medicine. I know how much unkindness can take away from someone and how much kindness can give.
Tag: on-call
29 September 2025
Doctors tell Parliament Speaker Johari Abdul that they personally cover expenses for impoverished patients. United with the medical fraternity in their rage against politicians, ordinary Malaysians say they see doctors work 36 hours straight doing on-call.
28 January 2025
Hartal Doktor Kontrak calls for a review of working hours under SSPA for nurses and other health workers, besides fast-tracking doctors' on-call allowance increase that was promised in Budget 2025. HDK also urges MPs to support a Health Service Commission.
24 January 2025
A medical officer says WBB only offers weekend on-call claims of RM11.90/hour (no weekday claims). Doctors' working hours should be capped at 55 hours a week, including OT and on-call. The MO tells those in their ivory tower: "Without us, you are nothing."
24 January 2025
Letter
Hopeful For Positive Outcome After Meeting With Health Minister — Malaysian Medical Association
MMA met Dr Dzul yesterday, where it raised WBB, among other issues, and stressed that the on-call allowance raise should be given to all doctors. MMA called for meaningful engagement before introducing new policy. "We are hopeful for a positive outcome."
22 January 2025
On WBB, a medical officer says business will go on as usual when complaints die down – unless doctors go on strike, like the 1977 and 1982 strikes. "By strike, I mean a proper strike – not a walkout during non-critical hours or when you are off duty."
21 January 2025
Letter
Defending WBB: Solid Work-Life Balance For Doctors — Dr Musa Mohd Nordin & Senior Consultant In MOH
Dr Musa Mohd Nordin and a senior consultant in MOH defend WBB that provides doctors a "solid work-life balance." Doctors can't receive on-call claims for 18-hour weekday shifts because they get two days off. They note private doctors work 30 days a month.
17 January 2025
An MO says the WBB shift system's main purpose appears to be cost-cutting, rather than improving working conditions. "This practice not only erodes trust but also reveals the ministry’s true priorities: saving money at the expense of doctors’ welfare."
16 January 2025
Dr Dzul says he hasn't approved or been briefed on the WBB shift system. The MOH medical development director's circular states Feb 1 launch of the WBB pilot as it obtained KSU approval on Jan 3 after MOH presented a proposal on WBB to JPA on Dec 5, 2024.
15 January 2025
In the WBB shift system that's piloting in 7 hospitals on Feb 1, MOs are limited to 18 consecutive work hours, with reduced allowance claims. The on-call allowance rate increase is only applicable on weekends/public holidays to ones on WBB in select units.