THE Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has welcomed the government’s attempt to resolve the issue of contract doctors.

“It is a good move by the government to create 4,200 permanent positions for medical officers, dental officers and pharmacists for this year, and to continue doing so with 1,500 similar positions per year for the next three years,” MMA president Dr Koh Kar Chai said.

Additionally, he said the creation of 800 permanent positions for medical specialists as well as 70 dental specialists on an annual basis from 2023 onwards is certainly welcome.

“We hope that with this the situation will gradually ease till our healthcare system can cope with the large number of medical graduates.

He said the high numbers of medical graduates coupled with a healthcare system unprepared to absorb them was why there are so many contract doctors.

Nonetheless, Koh said Malaysia more medical graduates are crucial for the improvement of healthcare services in the country.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) recently announced that 8,000 permanent positions for healthcare workers from 2022 until 2025 would be created to resolve the issue of long-term contract doctors.

Meanwhile, former MMA president Dr N.G. Baskaran it was a tribute to the contract doctors who were frontline workers against Covid-19.

“Malaysia lacks specialist in various fields. Previously, contract doctors could continue studies, but on their own, take exams and pay for themselves. Now with permanent positions, there is an opportunity to become specialists,” he said.

Grade UD43 contract medical officer Dr Mohamad Faisal Mohammed Nasim said the announcement was in line the contract doctors’ demands.

“We asked for permanent appointments and a way to get full scholarships for specialist training. Now, at least we are going in the right direction,” he said. – Bernama, February 13, 2022.