A TOTAL of 675 medical officers — both permanent and contract — resigned from public healthcare service in 2024, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad told the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday.
He said the figure represents 1.5 per cent of the 43,709 medical officer posts filled during that year. Of those who left, 386 were permanent appointees, while 289 were contract-based officers.
“The ministry appointed 7,373 new medical officers last year, comprising 4,057 permanent appointments and 3,316 on contract,” said Dr Dzulkefly. “In line with the Prime Minister’s announcement on 23 July, a total of 4,352 medical officer appointments will be made this year.”
As of now, he added, 4,006 contract medical officers — or 92 per cent of the year’s target — have already been offered permanent posts.
Responding to a question from Misbahul Munir Masduki (PN–Parit Buntar), Dr Dzulkefly reiterated the Health Ministry’s commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s healthcare system through improved workforce mobility and readiness.
Among the measures introduced is a revised starting salary of RM5,380 for Graduate Medical Officers under Grade UD9, with an annual increment of RM225.
Permanent officers have also received an eight per cent salary adjustment under the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA) since 1 December last year, with a further seven per cent increase set to take effect on 1 January next year.
Additional incentives include locum allowances, specialist incentives and elective surgery allowances.
However, Dr Dzulkefly also revealed that 3,021 nurses from across Malaysia’s healthcare sectors migrated abroad last year, based on data from the Malaysian Nursing Board.
He attributed this trend to more competitive salary offers overseas, further influenced by favourable exchange rates in high-income countries.
To stem the outflow and retain nurses within the public system, the government has implemented several initiatives. These include an eight per cent salary adjustment under the SSPA since December 2024, and a further seven per cent from January 2026. New recruits now begin with a starting salary of RM2,934, inclusive of fixed allowances and an annual increment of RM145.
Permanent appointments have also been extended to Grade U5 nurses, in line with the exemption of interim appointments under central agency guidelines.
Nurses working with psychiatric, tuberculosis and leprosy patients receive an additional RM100 monthly, while those serving in remote areas are entitled to rural incentives ranging from RM135 to RM210 per month. - August 28, 2025
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