Healthcare groups urge gov't to create more positions for contract staff

Four major groups representing Malaysian healthcare providers have urged the federal government to create more positions for contract staff in the future.

This was in view of Putrajaya's recent decision to further extend the contracts of medical officers, dentists and pharmacists expiring in 2019 and 2020 to 2.5 years, up from two years.

In a joint statement, the Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society (MPS), Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), Malaysian Dental Association (MDA) and Malaysian Medics International (MMI) welcomed the move because it was critical for the country to increase its healthcare capacity in order to face the Covid-19 pandemic.

"This is a welcome first step and signifies the recognition by a grateful nation for the contract doctors, dentists and pharmacists at the frontlines in this great fight against an invisible enemy.

"It is a recognition of their perseverance, determination and ability to work closely together to hold the disease at bay for the greater benefit of all Malaysians," they said.

However, the four groups said the government should create more permanent positions and devise a suitable career pathway for contract medical officers, dental officers and pharmacists.

"Adequate levels of health professionals serving the people is integral to the long-term sustainability of our healthcare system.

"Collaboration between doctors, dentists and pharmacists is a cornerstone in ensuring the health of the people and to this end, MPS, MMA, MDA and MMI are hopeful for more engagements to be held with the Health Ministry in the future to discuss the long term implications at the appropriate time," they said.

On April 15, Health Minister Dr Adham Baba (above) announced that the government would extend the contracts for 79 medical officers in grade UD41, 852 dental officers in grade UG41, and 1,139 pharmacy officers in grade UF41 by six months.

He said there would be no further extensions.

The public healthcare system has been unable to cope with the volume of new healthcare providers entering the workforce for years and have resorted to offering jobs on a contract basis since 2016.

Those with contracts expiring in March were initially told that their contracts would only be renewed for two years with no pay raise.

According to the New Straits Times, some of these healthcare providers said this was unfair because some of those on the 41 paygrade were currently performing duties and handling responsibilities of those on higher paygrades in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

So far, the Health Ministry has resorted to calling for retired healthcare providers to volunteer in the battle against Covid-19. The ministry was also urging those in the private sector to sign up for a six-months contract job. - Mkini