KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has lambasted the government amid allegations that medical officers were being instructed to relocate to other states to address manpower shortages at very short notice.
In a statement, MMA president Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai demanded the government take full responsibility for the issue and compensate affected medical officers for the inconvenience caused by the last-minute postings.
“It is unreasonable to expect the medical officers concerned to report for duty in another state at such ridiculously short notice.
“We hope the Public Service Department and Health Ministry will get to the bottom of this issue and straighten out the department responsible for the poor planning.”
Dr Muruga noted that relocation arrangements require advance notice as they involve financial commitments like rental payments and travel arrangements, as well as looking for accommodation.
For some, he pointed out, planning is also required for loved ones.
“If they are parents, they may need to take their children with them and find a daycare or enrol them in new schools,” he said, adding that the government must ensure the issue does not repeat.
Dr Muruga commented on claims made on social media of doctors being given last-minute placements.
User @ncileo claimed that some medical officers are expected to report for duty at their new placements within a day, describing the move as unfair, particularly for those who have to travel out of state.
KKM should stop giving last minute placement notices. MOs are expected to report for duty the next day after hospital placements are given . The need to relocate manpower in facilities which are lacking is understandable, (1/2)
— nixx (@ncileo) January 30, 2023
“Some have family and other commitments which require better prior planning. This has got to change,” she posted.
Another user @renugkha said she has had to relocate her whole life from Pahang to Kedah, and later being forced to “downsize” to merely a few bag to travel to Kuching, Sarawak.
“I was told to report myself for duty the very next day,” she said.
this was me relocating my entire life from pahang to kedah then downsizing to a few luggages to fly to kuching only to be given a placement 3-4 hours away & told to lapor diri the very next day, bus dropped us off at a junction before the town https://t.co/FCLbWDlTCr pic.twitter.com/36DOpSMZe4
— thepettykutty (@renugkha) January 30, 2023
The Vibes has reached out to Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa for comments and is awaiting a response. – The Vibes, February 1, 2023
