Health service lost 3 doctors daily over 5 years, says senator

 

6,417 medical officers and 1,046 specialists left the civil service between 2019 and the end of 2023. (Freepik pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

An average of three doctors have quit the government service daily over the last five years, a figure a senator has described as alarming.

In a written reply to Dr RA Lingeshwaran, the health ministry said 6,417 permanent and contractual medical officers resigned between 2019 and 2023.

A total of 1,046 specialists left government service during the same period, with 63 opting for early retirement after reaching 50.

The reasons for their departures include better opportunities in the private sector, early retirement, health issues, personal reasons, career shifts to teaching, and a lack of professional support.

Dr RA Lingeshwaran.

“The figures are alarming and need urgent intervention by the authorities to stem the tide which has been increasing over the last four years especially.

“The two main reasons I think are better remuneration and much less pressure in the private sector,” Lingeshwaran told FMT.

The former director of Hospital Sungai Bakap said the demanding hours and high stress in public hospitals, compounded by issues such as bullying, could be taking their toll on medical professionals.

“These issues must be addressed urgently,” he added.

Lingeshwaran also said the proposed increase in medical insurance could lead many to opt out, further straining already overwhelmed public health institutions.

“If the number of doctors and specialists leaving government service keeps on increasing, the healthcare system will break down,” he said.

He proposed that a special committee comprising healthcare stakeholders, including the Malaysian Medical Association and public sector doctors, be formed to find ways to retain professionals.

“I am a firm believer in a separate health services commission which must have some sort of autonomy to make certain decisions quickly. The sector is far too important to lump it with all other government services,” he said.

According to the health ministry’s reply, it currently employs 298,853 people, including 44,155 medical officers and 7,638 specialists.

Selangor tops the list with 6,274 medical officers and 1,446 specialists, followed by Johor (3,839 and 705), Sabah (3,362 and 534) and Perak (3,309 and 609).

Other states – including Sarawak, Kedah, Kelantan and Pahang, as well as Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya – have smaller numbers. - FMT