MMA hopes for revision in doctors’ on-call allowance

 

Increasing the on-call allowance will be another crucial step in recognising the invaluable contributions of public healthcare doctors, says the Malaysian Medical Association. (Reuters pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) said today it is looking forward to an announcement from the government on the new on-call allowance rate for public healthcare doctors.

We thank the government for increasing the salaries of all healthcare workers; and it is hoped that similarly, there will be good news concerning the doctors’ on-call allowance,

 MMA president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz said.

She said doctors in public healthcare have not seen a revision in their on-call allowance for more than a decade.

The MMA had engaged with past health ministers, the present health minister and several ministry officials, and proposed that the hourly on-call rate be increased to RM25 from the current RM9.16,

 she said in a statement, adding that the health ministry had, in February, promised an announcement 

soon

.

Azizan said increasing the rate will be another crucial step in recognising the invaluable contributions of public healthcare doctors.

“The revision of on-call allowances is vital for ensuring that doctors in the public healthcare system are fairly compensated for their hard work and sacrifices.

Adequate remuneration is essential not only for the welfare of our doctors but also for sustaining morale and motivation within the healthcare workforce,

 she said.

She said it is also necessary to retain talent.

In November 2023, the government shot down any notion of raising the allowance, saying it was of the view that it was appropriate as doctors also enjoyed other allowances.

However, in an apparent U-turn at the Dewan Negara one month later, deputy health minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni said he felt the allowance should be reviewed.

In February, health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad called for patience, saying the issue had been discussed in a Cabinet meeting and that an announcement would be made 

in the near future

. - FMT