PN tells govt not to punish health workers for joining strike

 

Perikatan Nasional (PN) has urged the government not to punish any civil servants involved in the healthcare worker strike that is rumoured to take place between April 3 and 5.

The expression of disappointment which does not affect public harmony is a normal occurrence in a democracy, reminded the PN health committee.

“At the same time, we would like to advise those participating in the strike to take care of themselves so that they can continue to serve the rakyat.

“We believe this expression of their feelings is due to the love the public healthcare workers feel about continuing to serve the rakyat,” said the PN health committee chairperson Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi (above) in a statement today.

This comes amid rumours that healthcare workers might strike between April 3 and 5, with the DoctorsMalaysia Instagram page urging contract doctors nationwide to join the strike or resign en masse on April 1.

The Health Ministry had earlier posted a reminder that civil servants are forbidden to join “illegal” gatherings as per a 2011 flier issued by the Public Service Department.

The PN health committee also called upon the government to form a healthcare service commission immediately to address issues faced by public health workers.

Health workers nationwide can wait no longer for their long-standing problems to be addressed, he said.

“The committee calls upon the government not to take this issue lightly.

“They (health workers) cannot wait any longer because they have been waiting for years, including waiting for the tabling of the health white paper expected in June, even as they continue to do their work well while continuously burdened mentally and physically.

“The committee also feels that a healthcare service commission should be established immediately and function actively in implementing healthcare reforms in our country, instead of waiting for the white paper to be tabled,” said Yunus.

He added that the committee understands the plight of the health workers as their survey has found that the work environment and benefits for them are very disappointing.

Mental and physical health

Yunus said the complaints system for health workers does not function well, which will affect the workers’ mental and physical health as well as their emotions.

“For years, complaint after complaint has been voiced, the government keeps changing, the health minister comes and goes but the problems plaguing the healthcare sector are still not resolved,” he said.

On top of that, the increasingly challenging global economy could potentially contribute to the brain drain of skilled workers and specialists, he said.

Yunus said the PN health committee would continue to monitor the situation and be ready to listen to any problems faced by health workers.

“Once again we call upon the government to work together to solve this issue.

“This is not just the government’s problem alone, but it is a responsibility that should also be solved by the opposition for the sake of a better healthcare service for the country,” Yunus said. - Mkini