MOH denies directive targeting contract medical officers over strike plans

 

The Health Ministry has denied issuing a directive for all head of clinical departments to identify contract medical officers under their charge who intended or had requested to be absent from work on July 1.

When contacted, a ministry staff told Malaysiakini the purported notice to crack down on support for a planned contract medical officers strike sometime next month, as shared on Twitter, was fake. 

The purported notice said the contract medical officers could be identified via their WhatsApp profile pictures; hashtag #hkontrak on their personal protective equipment (PPE) or their social media postings; as well as among those due to complete their contract and are displaying unsatisfactory attitude.

The Health Ministry, in a statement, said its secretary-general Mohd Shafiq Abdullah had in his communications with the management of state health departments instead outlined various efforts to address issues faced by contract medical officers.

This includes getting the right number of permanent placements through repeated consultation with the Malaysian Medical Association, Public Service Department and Finance Ministry.

It added that negotiations are also ongoing on extending the contract of medical officers and a longer contract term to facilitate their studies.

It said the issue of salary disparity between contract and permanent medical officers was also streamlined by the cabinet last year.

"The ministry's secretary-general asked all state health department and hospital directors to explain about the Health Ministry's efforts so that they won't join the strike planned by certain groups," it added.

Malaysiakini reported yesterday that a group of contract medical officers will proceed with a planned strike at the end of July unless the government resolves long-standing issues surrounding their permanent placements.

A contract medical officer who spoke on condition of anonymity said the plan to strike was sparked following Health Minister Dr Adham Baba’s statement on June 23 that defended recruitments done via contract since December 2016.

Contacted today, the source reiterated there were no plans to strike on July 1, but it would be inevitable unless the government resolves the issues.

Separately, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) Section Concerning House Officers, Medical Officers, and Specialists (Schomos) issued a "Code Black" call - often used to refer to a hospital emergency including bomb or personal threat to its staff. 

"The contract healthcare worker issue is akin to a ticking time bomb and a definite personal threat to their wellbeing and welfare," said Schomos on Facebook while declaring tomorrow would be observed as Black Monday.

Several medical officers responding to the post inquired if they should wear black in a show of support.

Meanwhile, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim said this issue that involves job security and career progression opportunities of over 20,000 contract medical officers must be resolved immediately by the government.

“It is very unreasonable when a contract medical officer does not receive the same benefits as other permanent officers.

“This practice of double standards should not be allowed, especially when the burden of responsibilities carried by these individuals is very heavy during the pandemic, and the Health Ministry must take more proactive and caring measures for their wellbeing,” Anwar said today.

There were 23,077 contract medical officers recruited since 2016, of which only 789 have been absorbed as permanent staff.

Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz had, following a meeting with Schomos, agreed to expedite solutions for the plight of contract medical officers. - Mkini