THE Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) thanks the government for recognising the need to boost healthcare in managing the pandemic with additional allocations under its Permai relief package.
While these will indeed be urgent steps to take to manage the surge in Covid-19 cases, it is hoped that other long-standing issues affecting the government healthcare workforce will not be overlooked. These issues, if left to fester over time, will affect the standard of healthcare.
Addressing human resource issues in government healthcare will be vital in the fight against Covid-19, and beyond.
Permanent positions, contract extensions
The pandemic has underscored the severe understaffing of our workforce, with many doctors forced to be placed on an increased number of calls. This shortage of doctors exists at both the specialist and medical officer levels. And yet, only a small proportion of contract medical officers have been offered permanent positions in government service, with the fate of the remaining doctors left hanging and unknown.
More permanent posts for medical officers need to be created immediately to ensure adequate manpower in the fight against Covid-19 and future pandemics, on top of routine healthcare services. The medical officers not given permanent posts must be offered an extended contract of at least 10 years, in order to allow them to specialise and progress further.
MMA hopes that the government will soon provide more details on whether the additional 3,500 healthcare personnel under the Permai package refers to permanent or contract positions, and if there are any positions being created for doctors.
Safeguarding health of all clinical staff
The Health Ministry’s stock of high-grade personal protective equipment should be closely monitored, to ensure constant and adequate supply as daily utilisation increases with the worsening pandemic. We cannot afford to allow our medical personnel on the battlefield without shields against the virus. One infected employee equates to one fewer staffer, and one more patient.
Other than physical health, it is important that we do not inadvertently overlook psychological and mental health, too. Mental and psychological support for our medical personnel is important to ensure they can continue to serve the rakyat at their best. The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support hotline proved invaluable in the first wave of Covid-19, and we strongly suggest that the ministry look into providing more resources for similar initiatives, to ensure that both our healthcare staff and patients are looked after.
Welfare and support for healthcare workers besides the U04344 Harmonisation Covid-19 allowance must be extended to all staff exposed to the clinical environment, including our often-forgotten “backliners”. Some healthcare staff are also working seven days a week amid the pandemic. If conditions permit, each staff member should be given their due rest each week, to prevent fatigue and burnout.
In terms of financial remuneration, MMA takes the stand that our doctors’ critical allowance should be continued indefinitely without further review. Furthermore, the fact that healthcare staff are considered essential service workers and required to work through the movement control order proves that our doctors are a critical and vital sector, responsible for providing care to the nation. The critical nature of our doctors’ work remains unchanged with or without the pandemic, and regardless of available supply.
With regard to the harmonisation of the pay grade for contract medical officers in U041 and U043/44, MMA understands that while the fight against the pandemic is the highest priority now, it is still important to address the issue involving more than 1,000 contract medical officers. Further delays to its implementation mean these medical officers miss out on the income that they are entitled to.
It is hoped that the government will soon provide a concrete timeline for its implementation, and officially announce its expected roll-out. The harmonisation will also serve as a huge morale-booster for our contract doctors on the front lines who are already fatigued and feeling dispensable by the system.
Healthcare workers’ annual leave
Last year, as the country grappled with Covid-19, each state Health Department had, at varying times, issued an order to freeze the annual leave of all staff. As such, healthcare workers have excess leave that they were unable to utilise in 2020, and this looks likely to recur this year. This leave is forfeited if not utilised after a certain period.
As such, we ask that the government guarantee that the unused leave of healthcare workers can be carried forward, to be utilised at a time when the pandemic has been managed.
MMA has written to the prime minister to meet on these matters. – The Vibes, January 20, 2021
Prof Datuk Dr Subramaniam Muniandy is president of MMA
