In concession to junior doctors, MOH offers one-off, one-year contract

 

In a seeming concession to voices of protest by junior doctors and organisations such as the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), the Health Ministry (MOH) issued a circular stating existing contract doctors will be offered reappointment on a contract basis as medical officers from Dec 5, 2021 to Dec 4, 2022.

The circular sighted by Malaysiakini said those in the Grade UD43 category would be offered the contract on a one-off basis due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Placement for the purpose of reappointment on a contract basis is maintained unless a change is instructed by the head of department.

"However, the head of department is requested to prioritise your placement to the vaccination centres (PPV) in line with the implementation of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.

"Placement decisions are final and no appeal will be considered," read the circular.

It said the applicants concerned could download their offer letter and contract agreement form through the e-Housemen portal starting July 5 up until July 11.

"This offer of appointment is subject to any review of the terms and conditions of service set by the government from time to time. This re-appointment offer is a one-off and cannot be used as a precedent for future occasions," it said.

The current situation began with the introduction of the contract system in 2016 as an initial solution to the delayed placement of house officers.

Upon joining government service, the junior doctors were given a five-year contract package that consisted of a three-year contract with an option of a two-year extension.

However, out of 23,077 contract doctors since 2016, only 789 have been given permanent positions in public healthcare.

An MMA representative told Malaysiakini it is likely the Code Black and Black Monday campaign, the latter of which is planned for July 12, had some impact in helping authorities to come to this decision.

"This had already been mentioned previously hence I don't think the plan is something new but the implementation may have been due to the pressure.

"Most of the first cohort of doctors who will have their contract expiring at the end of this year have been given a one-year extension by the ministry.

"However, this (move) is not solving the problem," said the representative.

They said the MMA has advised the government many times to come up with a long-term solution and not treat the issue like treating a patient without determining the underlying cause.

They said while it is a good move to provide a contract extension, just a one-year extension is not the way to go.

The MMA has said it supports the Code Black campaign from July 1 to 12 and the Black Monday on July 12 to encourage the people to show their support for contract doctors.

However, the group does not condone any strike by any healthcare professionals especially during this time of a pandemic as proposed by another group for July 26.

Nor does it wish to be mistaken as supporting the Black Flag campaign which is calling for Prime Minister Muhyiddin to step down, Parliament to convene immediately, and for the state of emergency to end. - Mkini