No job security, career development in health system - doctors' strike organisers

 

Organisers of a planned strike involving junior medical officers on contract said that a lack of job security and career development opportunities in the health system are among the reasons why they are proposing the strike.

In a statement today, the organisers pointed out that the medical profession is unlike that of bank officers or engineers.

“The career trajectory of a doctor can only be elevated by undertaking a 'masters' programme or sitting for a collegiate exam such as MRCS, MRCP, MRCph and so on.

“We do not get career promotions based on the length of our service,” read the statement posted by Twitter user @avenfauzi using the hashtag #HartalDoktorKontrak. 

The account has been used to communicate on behalf of the group.

The group also noted that opportunities to pursue their preferred specialities are few and far between, citing the cost of furthering their studies and the restrictions of taking certain routes to specialise as barriers.

It is said that the group of contract doctors will go on strike by the end of July if the government fails to resolve the issue of their permanent placement contracts.

Previously, the group told Malaysiakini that the plans for the strike were initiated following a statement by Health Minister Dr Adham Baba on June 23 who defended the contract-based recruitment which began in December 2016.

Adham's statement was made in response to an open letter to all MPs from the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) and its house officers, medical officers, and Specialists Division (Schomos) which highlighted the lack of job security and career development opportunities faced by junior contract doctors.

“All of my accomplishments in the last two years (of the Covid-19 pandemic) will not be brought forward.

“What about my luck, ladies and gentlemen? Do I have to leave the country to secure my livelihood? Do I need to leave this motherland of mine?” asked one of the organisers in the group’s statement, lamenting what opportunities may be left for them after the completion of their training.

According to Health Ministry chief secretary Mohd Shafiq Abdullah, the ministry had outlined various efforts to address the issues faced by contract medical officers.

This includes efforts to secure the number of permanent positions that satisfies the terms of the "rightsizing" concept, with negotiations being held between various parties such as the MMA, Public Service Department and the Finance Ministry to find a solution.

The Health Ministry has also proposed a long-term contract to allow such officers to pursue master’s degree programmes and to qualify for a scholarship, which is still being debated upon.

Among other issues, the strike organisers also brought up the issue of junior doctors who did not get certain benefits such as maternity leave and speciality-specific leave (for those working in radiology).

The group reiterated that their movement is not politically inclined and that it does not wish to disrupt the country’s peace. - Mkini