PETALING JAYA: All government hospitals have been ordered to be on “standby mode” starting tomorrow to brace for a possible three-day strike by contract doctors.
Health minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the ministry would conduct checks at all government health facilities to ensure that they carry on as usual, Berita Harian reported.
“As part of our emergency plan, we will also conduct checks, and the state health directors and the hospitals are on standby mode,” she was quoted as saying.
The health minister also said that while she understands the plight of contract doctors, strikes should not be the solution. “The health ministry had issued a reminder to the doctors to remind them of the importance of the health services,” she added.
Zaliha also said the doctors are bound by the civil service code of ethics, when asked whether the ministry would take action against those who take part in the strike.
Over 8,000 contract doctors are expected to go on strike from Monday to Wednesday (April 3-5) by taking medical or emergency leave. They are protesting against what they described as an unfair system and low wages.
The group organising the strike, Mogok Doktor Malaysia (Malaysian Doctors on Strike), also warned of longer waiting time at health clinics and government hospitals during the three days.
Yesterday, the health ministry released an infographic which listed the types of participation in gatherings that were considered offences under a public services department circular.
This includes “active involvement” in such assemblies outside of working hours, and using office hours as well as leaving the office to observe and join such gatherings. - FMT
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