A TOTAL of 3,386 out of 29,548 contract medical officers appointed by the Health Ministry resigned from 2017 to 2021, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said.

She said 110 of them resigned in 2017, followed by 168 (2018), 475 (2019), 511 (2020), 768 (2021) and 1,354 (2022).

“One of the reasons they left is because they chose to join the private sector or other statutory bodies that offer more attractive remuneration,” she said when winding up the debate on the motion of thanks to the royal address in the Dewan Rakyat today.

“There were some who opened their own clinics, furthered their studies, migrated overseas or left due to personal reasons and health factors, including mental pressure.”

To a question by Mohammed Taufiq Johari (Sungai Petani-PH) on bully victims among doctors who have had their details leaked, which brought about negative implications, including added pressure, Zaliha said she was informed that this had been going on for some time and was taking steps to ensure such cases would not recur.

She advised experienced medical officers to guide new ones as mentors, thus ensuring that new officers are comfortable in carrying out their duties.

Zaliha also said the ministry has submitted an application for a special allocation to improve health facilities across the country, considering that 1,200 of its 3,119 health clinics that are over 50 years old are in a dilapidated condition with most of them built on wood structures.

“That is why the Health Ministry is committed to getting the budget allocation increased to 5% of GDP because we want the continuation of this funding to cover expenses in our health facilities,” she said.

Zaliha said the ministry will also be tabling the Health White Paper, which will explain the basis of funding needs and outline an improved health delivery strategy. – Bernama, February 23, 2023.