ISSUES of trainee doctors, criteria for appointment of doctors to permanent posts and improvement to hospital facilities are among the grouses raised by some 350 doctors in a dialogue with Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa today.

Dr B. Abirami of Hospital Shah Alam, when met after the two-hour discussion in Putrajaya, said it not only centred on the contract doctor issue but also covered permanent post holders.

“Whatever we asked for, either for contract doctors or anything in the Health Ministry facilities, we were told that it depends on the budget, which will be tabled on Friday. We hope it will be a good budget for the healthcare sector,” she said.

Dr Nurul Qashira Mohd Izlan, a trainee doctor at Hospital Kuala Lumpur, said Zaliha assured them that the criteria for filling permanent posts would be fine-tuned.

“She wanted to make it more transparent, and they are working on that. We were given to understand that (resolution of) all issues arising would depend on the budget to be unveiled later,” she said.

Dr Mohamad Firdaus Omar of Hospital Malacca, who is holding a permanent post, said the issue of bullying among doctors was also raised.

He said Zaliha gave an assurance this would be among the problems to be solved urgently.

Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni and Malaysian Medical Association president Dr R. Muruga Raj were also present during the discussion.

In a statement issued by her office after the dialogue, Zaliha said she appreciated and respected the views and feedback and would do her best to tackle the issues raised, whether from the policy or technical aspects.

She also gave an assurance that no doctors who attended the dialogue would be subjected to any disciplinary action. – Bernama, February 22, 2023.