Welfare of public healthcare workers a priority for new MMA chief

 

New Malaysian Medical Association president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz said that looking into the wellbeing of public healthcare doctors will be a priority during her term as MMA president.

“The wellbeing of doctors and, by extension, all healthcare workers in the public healthcare system should be treated as a priority to ensure the highest quality of care in the country is maintained.

“Public healthcare is unlike other civil service departments as healthcare workers often work extra hours, putting the needs of the patient first.

“Healthcare workers in the public sector are entrusted with the responsibility of care for a high percentage of our population. More than 70 percent of the population rely on public healthcare services for their health needs,” she said in her inaugural address as president.

Azizan highlighted that hospitals operate 24/7 and healthcare workers deal with life and death situations on an almost daily basis.

“Ensuring the wellbeing of healthcare workers is paramount to maintaining high-quality care for the best possible outcome,” she added.

Azizan takes over the reins after Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai completed his 2022-2023 term yesterday. MMA presidents serve for only one year.

The contract doctor issue, overcrowding at healthcare facilities, maldistribution of healthcare workers, shortages in specialists, remuneration, junior doctors’ career pathway, work environment, work-life balance of doctors to avoid burnout, preparing for an ageing nation, and digitalisation of healthcare are among the public healthcare issues the MMA president will be working to address.

“I am looking forward to engaging with the Health Ministry to resolve these issues as these are important areas to address in improving the delivery of care and the system,” she said.

Azizan also expressed hope that some of the healthcare reforms planned by the government will be carried out during her term. 

“We hope to get an update from the Health Ministry soon on the implementation of healthcare reforms that are being planned in line with the Health White Paper,” she said.

In her speech, she said issues faced by private medical practitioners will also be among her priorities.

“There are longstanding issues in private healthcare that also need to be addressed. 

“The private general practitioners fee schedule and issues with third-party administrators or managed-care organisations as well as the issues private healthcare specialists are facing will be addressed in our engagements with the ministry.”

Azizan graduated with a Medical Degree from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) in 1986. She served in both public and private hospitals before becoming a solo private general practitioner in 1999. - Mkini