Contract doctors to be freed of scholarship bonds

 

Thousands of government doctors, dentists and pharmacists appointed after 2016 are eligible to end their bondage. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Thousands of doctors, dentists and pharmacists on government scholarships are to be freed of their bonds to serve the government.

The Public Service Department (JPA) has decided to cancel the bonds of contract officers who successfully apply for release.

However, the contract officers are given the option to continue serving with the government even after the bonds are cancelled; their appointment to permanent posts will also not be affected.

The move appears to be an attempt at reducing the growing number of contract medical professionals in government service. After graduating, those on scholarships are bound to serve the government for 10 years, including the period of internship and mandatory service.

Previously, those who broke their bonds were required to pay a penalty of at least RM300,000 to RM1 million, depending on their country of study.

Those who are eligible to apply to end their bonds are contract doctors appointed after 2016, as well as those who had taken loans before 2016.

Those who had taken convertible loans after 2016 are not eligible. Convertible loans are regarded as a scholarship if the officers serve the government fully; they must pay back 50% of the loan if they leave to work for government-linked companies or 100% if they join the private sector.

“However, this category of contract officers can also apply to have their bonds cancelled without having to repay the loans on a case by case basis,” it said.

JPA said contract officers on scholarship who had quit, and those who did not continue their contracts, could also apply to have their bonds cancelled if they meet all requirements. - FMT