GEORGE TOWN – The new administration and Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa need to look into ways to stem the migration of Malaysian doctors who are leaving to work overseas or in the private sector, said Universiti Sains Malaysia’s (USM) Medical Alumni Association (Padu).
Padu president Datuk Dr Jafri Malin Abdullah said while the trend is not new, many young medical graduates do not see a future for themselves in the country.
“There is a need for a permanent solution to the matter.”
In a statement, he cited the lack of transparency in hiring housemen, which is giving rise to the perception that the country does not reward diligent doctors while the pull factor may not just hinge on better pay.
“Our young medical graduates are attracted to work in Singapore, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. They also take into account emotional stress, burnout and working conditions, as well as (being) overwhelmed by non-clinical chores.”
He added that there are claims of a bullying culture by their seniors.
With this, the government and the Health Ministry need to conduct an in-depth study into why Malaysian doctors are exiting the public sector for opportunities in the private sector or even moving overseas.
Jafri also urged the authorities to look at increasing the intake of doctors, dentists, specialists and paramedics to meet growing demand.
Earlier, the ministry announced that it is offering 4,914 permanent posts this year, as part of ongoing efforts to address the problems of contract doctors.
Zaliha had said 4,263 of these posts are for medical officers, 335 are for dental officers, and 316 are for pharmacists.
In 2021, it was reported that 1,025 contract doctors resigned during the Covid-19 pandemic period from 2020 to 2021.
Then-deputy health minister Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali told Dewan Rakyat that the reasons for quitting included doctors wanting to serve in the private sector, unspecified personal reasons, serving in statutory bodies, furthering studies and health issues.
On July 26, 2021, contract doctors across the nation staged a walkout from various government hospitals to demand permanent posts. – The Vibes, January 16, 2023
