THE Health Ministry has agreed to establish a special high-level committee to look into contract doctor issues, Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said.

The minister made the announcement as a group of doctors prepare to go on strike from Monday to Wednesday over salaries and benefits.

She said the issue is something that has been inherited from previous governments, and has been a problem since the contract system was introduced in 2016.

“The cabinet finally agreed to establish a high-level committee that will combine several ministries and the Chief Secretary to the Government for this hot topic,” the health minister said in a statement today.

Zaliha said a strike is not the best solution to any problem.

“This matter needs to be weighed carefully. This is because the health service is a critical service, especially because it involves human life and the well-being of the people,” she said.

Zaliha added that the Health Ministry has from time to time taken action on problems raised by healthcare workers.

“This includes creating permanent postings, sponsoring specialist and advanced training, time-based promotions, promotion opportunities to special grades, and the creation of UD56 grades for medical experts.

“Other health schemes have also been taken care of and improved,” she said.

“The ministry would like to emphasise that a strike is not the best solution and that problems need to be dealt with through joint involvement in a more professional and prudent manner.

“A public servant, whether permanent or contract, is subject to the integrity of public service ethics,” she said.

Last week, a group of frustrated contract doctors, known as Mogok Doktor Malaysia, called on fellow contract staff to show solidarity by either taking emergency or medical leave from Monday to Wednesday over grievances about the system and low wages.

Mogok Doktor Malaysia estimated some 8,000 contract doctors will take part and warned the public to expect longer waiting times at public health clinics and hospitals on these days.

The group demands absorption of all contract medical officers into permanent positions without any conditions or interviews; basic salary increment; higher on-call rates; a resolution to the shortage of specialists, medical officers and house officers; and an automatic reduction in the compulsory service term for medical officers to three years.

However, several contract doctors, when contacted, distanced themselves from taking part in the strike. – April 1, 2023.