KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Medical Association’s (MMA) Section Concerning House Officers, Medical Officers, and Specialists (SCHOMOS) – which represents government doctors in Malaysia – will not condone any attempts by certain groups of doctors to lodge a work strike in protest against the government due to the present contract system.
In a statement, the MMA SCHOMOS exco said they had discussed various issues faced by house officers, medical officers, and specialists with Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz during an online meeting today, in an effort to resolve issues plaguing the group for years despite plenty of discussions in the past.
“MMA SCHOMOS would like to thank Tengku Zafrul for inviting us for an urgent meeting to discuss issues pertaining to the letter MMA sent to all the MPs and the government on June 23.
“Tengku Zafrul has agreed to expedite the matter and look into the current working paper,” the exco stated.
They stressed while it would not condone plans to organise a work strike in light of the current pandemic environment, MMA SCHOMOS will instead planned a day of solidarity for junior doctors.
It reminded the medical fraternity that as doctors, their first and foremost guiding principle is to do no harm.
“We will also request for a townhall session to allow the ground sentiment to be heard and are in the midst of finalising these plans and will update soon,” they said.
The statement pointed out that the government must realise the failure of the contract system has led to these drastic actions by the contract officers.
They explained that there is neither a clear nor transparent criteria as well as no proper evaluation for the selection to permanent posts and no postgraduate pathway for contract doctors.
Furthermore, seeing that some of these doctors’ contracts will end in as little as six months, they have very little to lose by carrying out their strike.
The MMA SCHOMOS exco added it will continue to work with authorities who have responded to our open Letter recently and hopes to share positive news soon.
The statement comes after a certain group of doctors believed to be house officers are planning to conduct a one-day nationwide strike.
After all the BS from KKM and Adham Baba, its time for a nationwide strike. RT and make this happen for all contract doctors out there! pic.twitter.com/61Oq600QSB
— ανєη △⃒⃘ (@avenfauzi) June 24, 2021
Dubbed “Hartal Doktor Kontrak Seluruh Malaysia”, it is learnt that the disgruntled group of doctors have been gathering participants via social media to protest the government for their alleged mistreatment due to their status as contract staff. – The Vibes, June 25, 2021
