ENOUGH has been said about why contract doctors should not strike.
Such an action has been described as holding the government to ransom, contravening civil service regulations, defying trade union laws and others.
However, let us be reminded that the problem of contract doctors is not new.
It had existed for some years without an amicable resolution by the past governments.
Matters were simply swept under the carpet.
Knowing very well the sensitive nature of the medical and health services, why did past governments allow the matter to fester so long?
Why were there no attempts to find a solution to the perplexing problem?
It is not enough to say that contract doctors brought upon the problem to themselves by going for the medical profession.
Sure, there is an overproduction of doctors.
Such an overproduction is not necessarily a bad thing, it might even allow the selection of the best among the large pool for specialisation.
I am sure the overproduction of doctors in the country has not led to the exhaustion of the needs of the medical and health profession.
Even if the government has reminded Malaysians of the presence of too many doctors, the fact remains the government still provides scholarships and loans for those taking up medical studies.
The country’s health services are essential services, strikes, whether legal or non-legal, are not allowed.
However, under extenuating circumstances, there is nothing to stop doctors whether contract or not from staging wild cat strikes or work stoppages or even work to rule methods.
Of course, such actions might give rise to various disciplinary actions including sacking from the civil service.
If I am not mistaken, it is not the intention of those behind the strike to actually engage in unlawful strikes.
Far from it.
Contract doctors numbering in the thousands merely want to highlight their long-standing grievances to the government.
The call to strike is just a way of attracting the attention of the government to the plight of contract doctors.
Contract doctors are as responsible as permanent doctors in the medical and health profession.
Malaysians don’t want health services to be disrupted.
Contract doctors do not want this too.
Hopefully, good sense will prevail over the matter.
The government must engage with them in finding a solution.
It is not too late. – The Vibes, April 3, 2023
P. Ramasamy is the deputy chief minister (II) of Penang
