Deal with shortage of 11,000 specialists, MMA tells govt

 MMA president Dr Sivanaesan Letchumanan calls for continued investments in expanding specialist training pathways and enhancing career progression.

MMA president Dr Sivanaesan Letchumanan praised the government for guaranteeing permanent appointments for all medical graduates completing housemanship. (Envato Elements pic)

PETALING JAYA:

The government must deal with the shortage of 11,000 specialists to meet the needs of an ageing population and growing burden of chronic diseases, says the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA).

Dr Sivanaesan Letchumanan.

MMA president Dr Sivanaesan Letchumanan called for continued investments in expanding specialist training pathways, enhancing career progression, and optimising workforce distribution across public healthcare facilities.

He said the MMA also advocated for the establishment of a national healthcare workforce distribution dashboard to provide clear visibility on staffing levels and shortages across public hospitals and clinics, ensuring resources are deployed effectively.

Touching on other key aspects of the 2027 budget tabled today, Sivanaesan highlighted the potential of public-private collaboration, medical equipment investment, and digital health initiatives to reduce patient waiting times to elevate overall healthcare standards, Bernama reported.

“Ultimately, the success of the budget must be measured not merely by the allocations announced, but by improvements in patient care, waiting times, workforce retention and access to healthcare,” he said.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling the budget today, announced an increased allocation of RM47.7 billion for the health ministry, compared to RM46.5 billion in 2026.

Key healthcare measures include absorbing over 9,000 contract doctors into permanent service, increasing patient outsourcing allocation to RM200 million, introducing the MediAsas medical insurance scheme, providing RM1.2 billion for facility maintenance, and expanding electronic medical record systems nationwide.

Sivanaesan said the government, in guaranteeing permanent appointments for medical graduates completing housemanship, was providing much-needed job security and career certainty for young doctors.

“This is a significant milestone and addresses one of MMA’s longstanding calls. We commend the government for taking this important step.

“Permanent appointments are an important step forward, but they must be supported by a comprehensive workforce retention strategy.” - FMT