VARIOUS issues affecting the public healthcare system and its workforce were voiced out and solutions were provided at the town hall session with the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Putrajaya yesterday, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) said. 

“In the no-holds-barred session, house officers, medical officers (both contract and permanent), specialists and consultants spoke freely about their issues.  

“We wish to thank the Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa and the Deputy Health Minister Tuan Lukanisman Awang Sauni for agreeing to the town hall session that was proposed by MMA when we met with the minister in December last year soon after she took office,” MMA president Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai said in a statement today.  

The town hall session was attended by almost 400 doctors working in the public healthcare system. 

Dr Muruga said many of the issues could not be resolved overnight.  

He, however, said that the town hall meeting was a good start. 

“The minister has a willingness to engage with the healthcare workers, to listen and understand their issues, and she has promised that no action will be taken against any doctor for bringing up issues. 

“This is important if we are to move forward and towards more meaningful improvements in our healthcare system,” he said.  

Dr Muruga said the issues brought up by MMA at the town hall were divided broadly into two categories: human resources and facility/infrastructure. 

“Under human resources, financial matters (long overdue on-call claims and salary revision), exploitation (bullying, working hours, wage theft, etc.) as well as issues affecting contract doctors/junior doctors, subject matter experts, and specialists were brought up.  

“The MMA also highlighted the need for transparency in MOH data. 

“Under ‘Facility and Infrastructure’, MMA highlighted the need for proper development and maintenance of both physical and digital infrastructure.  

“Standardisation and proper maintenance must be insisted upon to prevent a collapse of electronic record systems. There is also a need for transparency in facilities assessments,” he said.  

Reports on the fire at Hospital Sultanah Aminah Johor Bahru should be released to the public, Dr Muruga added.  

The MMA president also urged the Finance Ministry (MOF) and the Public Service Department (PSD) to give the Health Ministry the support it needed. 

He said additional funding and job creation was needed to resolve human resources issues. 

“We understand from our meetings with the Health Ministry that the minister has been in close contact with both the MOF and the PSD,” he said. 

Dr Muruga said MMA would be following up with further developments. – February 23, 2023.