THE Health Ministry (MOH) will consider medical officers who have completed graduate training, are fully registered with the Malaysian Medical Council, and meet the requirements for permanent appointment for the 12,800 posts available, says minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa.

She said the ministry will follow up on the matter so staffing and appointment matters can be managed in an orderly and effective manner.

“The MOH is also fine tuning other issues related to contract medical officers, including the feedback collected during a town hall session on February 22, 2023. 

“This matter will be presented to the High-Level Committee, which was established based on the government’s decision on March 31,” she said in a statement today.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that 12,800 of the 20,330 contractually appointed doctors will be absorbed into permanent positions within three years, with an additional allocation of RM1.7 billion. 

Dr Zaliha said the government is studying the extension of locum allowance for officers in MOH’s management and professional groups, besides medical officers. 

“The MOH will continue with contract appointments for graduate training (housemanship), which also impacts the increase in the MOH’s emoluments every year,” she said. – Bernama, April 5, 2023.