PUTRAJAYA has decided to extend the contract term for medical officers and dentists who have been accepted into specialist training to a maximum period of four years, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said today.

This, he said, applies to those who have been accepted to undergo specialist training within the first two years of their contract term.

“As an immediate resolution, the cabinet has decided to offer a two-year contract of service to medical officers, dentists and pharmacists who have completed their mandatory service to ensure continuation to their service and as preparation for their specialist training,” the prime minister said in a statement today.

His statement comes in the wake of a doctors group threatening to protest if a resolution is not found to the longstanding issue of permanent posting for contract doctors.

Several doctors have also quit within 24 hours, citing burnout, a lack of career opportunities, overload and stress as Covid-19 patient load increases.

Muhyiddin said the four-year contract term will ensure that the officers will be able to complete their respective specialist training.

The cabinet has also decided to raise certain benefits for contract officers so that it is on par with permanent officers, including being paid salary while on study leave and given sponsorship, which are equivalent to perks given under the Federal Training Award Scheme (Hadiah Latihan Persekutuan), as well as fully paid study leave.

Medical officers, dentists and pharmacists on contract will also be entitled to benefits such as special leave for medical duty, sick leave, and travel stipends, among others.

“The government is cognisant of the demands of contract healthcare workers and is aware of their contribution and role as frontline workers which is very important in giving the best healthcare service to the people, especially during the pandemic,” Muhyiddin said, adding that the Ministry of Health (MoH) had tabled a proposal at the Cabinet meeting on July 14.

Muhyiddin said he had also instructed MoH and its agencies to draft a comprehensive and inclusive plan that includes immediate action, as well as medium-and-long-term measures to resolve the issue.

He added the decisions made will also allow the government to finalise the study on reforming the healthcare system, reviewing the Medical Act, and charting the long-term direction of the healthcare service.

Muhyiddin said the government appreciates the contribution of frontline health workers and the career pathway for contract medical officers, dentists, and pharmacists should be fair and warrants attention.

Putrajaya’s announcement today came after the doctors’ group Hartal Doktor Kontrak said yesterday that it will proceed with its strike on July 26 by staging a walkout as a sign of protest against the government’s position on permanent postings for contract medical doctors.

A spokesman for the group said doctors will stage a walkout during work as a sign of protest over poor working terms amidst the rising Covid-19 cases over the last two months.

“We will proceed with a massive walkout as a symbol to show that we want our voices to be heard,” a spokesman for the group told The Malaysian Insight.

However, he did not reveal how many doctors from MoH’s facilities will be part of the strike.

The issue of contract medical officers not being offered permanent positions in the civil service has been ongoing since 2016.

The group had on July 1 given Putrajaya a three-week timeline to resolve the issue of permanent positions for contract doctors, failing which they would go on strike.

The warning was issued after a memorandum was given to MoH, the Public Services Commission, Public Services Department, and the Malaysian Medical Council.

Data from MoH showed that a total of 23,077 UD41 grade contract medical officers were picked to undergo graduate training and compulsory service between December 2016 and May 2021.

However, only 789 of them were offered permanent positions, leaving many in limbo while many others have applied for jobs overseas. – July 23, 2021.