Ahead of the contract doctors strike set to take place tomorrow, a top Umno leader has urged its participants to further negotiate with the government on their demands.
Umno vice-president Khaled Nordin (above) in a statement said the negotiation could take into account the government's offers as recently announced by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
"If the offer was inadequate, it should be used as a base for further negotiations.
"For sure not all demands could be fulfilled and not all offers from the government should be rejected," he added.
Khaled said organisers should be allowed to proceed with their strike in respect of rights to freedom of expression, but it must be followed with negotiations between both parties.
"Doctors and health practitioners are part of the country's frontliners.
"They must be treated and appreciated accordingly," said the former Johor menteri besar.
"More importantly, however, would be the nation's interest.
"And to balance that we must leave it to the wisdom of the government and this group of young doctors," he added.
Organisers from the Hartal Doktor Kontrak (HDK) movement yesterday said the group's survey had identified some 5,000 contract medical officers from government health facilities nationwide who are expected to join the walkout set to take place at 11am tomorrow.
The organisers have also outlined procedures to ensure that the care of hospital patients will not be jeopardised in any way, including for those stationed at critical care units to ensure the transfer of duties to a permanent doctor.
Muhyiddin on Friday announced that the government has agreed to provide contract medical officers, dentists and pharmacists career path opportunities at par with their permanent colleagues.
The cabinet had also decided to allow contract officers other benefits such as fully paid study leave.
HDK in response said the solutions offered were "half-cooked" and only intended to keep them quiet.
However, the group had indicated readiness to engage the government with their primary demand for all 23,000 contract medical officers to be given permanent placement, claiming they have been left out of discussions that led to the offers made so far. - Mkini
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