KUALA LUMPUR – Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba has given an assurance that the grouses of contract doctors will be brought up in the cabinet, with the schemes offered by the ministry to have more benefits.
At a joint press conference with Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin today, Dr Adham said as of May 31, 35,216 doctors had been appointed on a contract basis under three schemes.
“At present, we have 23,077 medical officers, 5,000 dental officers and 7,139 pharmacy officers on contract.
“The ministry has also recruited 12,153 individuals under its undergraduate training scheme for one cycle.
“They will be under the contract scheme before being asked to undergo the mandatory two-year service following their housemanship.”
He called on contract doctors to remain calm, saying the cabinet will decide on the matter soon.
“What we did previously was increase salaries and promote the grade of contract doctors from UD41 to UD43.
“Their salaries and grade are similar to those of permanent doctors.”
On Monday, The Malaysian Medical Association’s (MMA) Section Concerning House Officers, Medical Officers and Specialists, representing government doctors, said it will launch “Code Black” week tomorrow in a show of solidarity with contract doctors.
The peaceful protest aims to solidify the demand for equal and fair treatment between contract and permanent staff, as well as ensure job security for all healthcare workers.
A group of doctors has called for a one-day strike on July 26 in protest against the government's contract system, but this is not sanctioned by MMA. – The Vibes, June 30, 2021
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