CONTRACT healthcare workers have been warned that failure to accept transfers will result in them not being given permanent positions, The Star Online reported.

The daily said this was a condition given to the contract health workers by the Health Ministry (MOH) based on MOH presentation slides dated July 20.

The slides showed between June 6 and 24 of this year, 4,154 doctors, 329 dentists and 304 pharmacists applied for permanent placements via the ministry’s replacement system.

The Star reported 101 contract medical officers, four dentists and eight pharmacists did not choose their placements. Eight doctors, two dentists and four pharmacists rejected their offers.

Those who have accepted the offered permanent positions and have relocated to a new healthcare facility will report for duty on July 31.

Several contract healthcare workers have complained of being placed in Sabah and Sarawak on short notice, and appealed for nearer placements.

The MOH slides warned them that failure to accept placements would result in cancellation of their permanent position offers.

“The officer will remain under contract appointment. [They] will not be eligible for permanent positions in the future,” it said.

On June 24, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said there were 4,914 vacancies, of which 4,263 were for contract medical officers, 335 for dentists and 316 for pharmacists this year.

No relocation allowance 

There was another twist – contract healthcare workers were being told to relocate on their own dime.

Letters from the MOH said contract staff being absorbed into permanent positions would not be eligible for relocation claims.

This is because their services would be “cut off” when they move from contract to permanent positions, reported The Star Online.

Many of these contract workers are struggling to find the funds to relocate, especially those who have been told to transfer to Sabah or Sarawak.

The daily quoted a source as saying most doctors do not want to serve in Sabah or Sarawak for various reasons, including being unable to be based far from their families, having caregiving responsibilities, and wanting to continue their specialist training. – July 23, 2023.