Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the move was aimed at recognising the sacrifices of medical officers serving in the two states and strengthening specialist capacity there.
"I have directed the Health Ministry to study and subsequently implement a specific 30 per cent quota for specialist training for those serving in Sabah and Sarawak," he said in response to a question from Suhaizan Kaiat (PH-Pulai).
Dzulkefly said the quota would involve about 500 of the 1,650 federal training awards currently available.
The announcement comes amid continued challenges in attracting medical officers to Sabah and Sarawak.
On June 19, Dzulkefly said the ministry was in the final stages of resolving bottlenecks in specialist training, including bureaucratic hurdles that had slowed the production of new specialists.
He said the ministry was reviewing obstacles within the system and had introduced interim measures, including recognising supervised work experience as part of the required training period for doctors pursuing sub-specialisation.
The Malaysian Medical Association had warned that a shortage of 11,000 medical specialists was putting public healthcare services at risk, with 70 per cent of Malaysians relying on public hospitals.
MMA past president Datuk Dr Thirunavakarasu Rajoo said the shortage could lead to longer waiting times and delayed treatment, while new administrative barriers, including unclear eligibility rules and appraisal requirements, were making specialist training more difficult.
Last year, the New Straits Times reported that public healthcare facilities were grappling with a critical shortage of doctors, specialists and nurses, with conditions especially dire in Sabah and Sarawak. - NST
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