Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong has raised further questions surrounding the precise number of specialists and medical officers within the public health sector.
Speaking to reporters in Parliament today, Khoo cited a Health Ministry written response on Oct 15, which stated that as of June, there were 43,392 positions for staff, with 8,470 spots for specialists and 34,922 for medical officers.
“Even though I appreciate the response from the Health Ministry, I am highly concerned by what the numbers revealed.
“At a glance, the numbers look impressive, but there is an important question left unanswered. How many of these positions are actually filled?” he asked.
Khoo said the number of positions also falls short of projected demands - 18,912 specialists needed next year and up to 23,972 specialists in 2030.
Resignations
Khoo cited a Dewan Negara written response in July that, on average, 199 specialists had left the public health sector every year for 10 years up to 2022, and the number nearly doubled last year with the resignation of 359 specialists.
Further, he said there was an added question over the “distribution” of doctors, with concerns raised by the Malaysian Medical Association that there was an imbalance involving 71,798 doctors in both the public and private health sectors as of Dec 31, 2022.
“This raises a worrying question: Why is the Health Ministry facing a serious shortage of professionals, with more than half leaving the public sector and contributing to the situation in public hospitals nationwide?” he said.
Overworked doctors
Khoo, who previously urged the Health Ministry to act urgently on alleged workplace bullying cases in public hospitals, reiterated that failure to address staffing issues could result in dire consequences, including the death of doctors.
The DAP MP reminded Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad that a promise had been made since 2018, during Pakatan Harapan’s first stint in Putrajaya, to address the issue of overworked doctors.
“Maybe, at the time, the problem was left unresolved due to unexpected circumstances. When he (Dzulkefly) returned as health minister, he said he had unfinished business.
“So I hope the Health Ministry will provide an answer and take urgent actions to ensure the safety and welfare of our doctors, in the interest of the people who they serve,” he said. -Mkini
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