THE Health Ministry (MOH) has approved appeals for transfer for 332 medical officers throughout the country and they are required to report for duty on July 31.

Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said among the appeals considered were for those that want to pursue specialisation studies in their respective profession, those who faced serious family problems and for security reasons.

“The appeals were approved on June 27 and July 24 after reviewing appeals from 1,843 of the 4,155 medical officers who were offered permanent positions.  

“The placement this time will be made via a system that requires medical officers to choose their placement because the disparity between contract officers and permanent officers can be high in a number of states. This is also to give them a fair opportunity to choose their placements,” she told reporters during a special media conference, in Kota Baru today.

Commenting further, Dr Zalaiha said the MOH had set up several channels for medical officers to appeal online, face to face, while three dedicated telephone lines were allocated for medical officers to get in touch with the Human Resources Department.

“The appeals panel will consider the applications of all officers but not all appeals can be approved because some positions might not be vacant in certain states that they applied for. Consideration will be given to those who need such placements. 

“When reviewing the appeals, medical officers will also be offered to serve in other states although they have appealed to serve in a certain state. When the state in question does not have vacancies. For example when there are no vacancies in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Melaka, placements in Johor, Pahang or Kedah might be offered,” she said.      

The medical officers can go straight to work without having to wait for their letter of offer because their respective placements will have their record when they report for duty.

“However, if medicals officers seek to report later than the date of appointment, they can appeal to their respective heads of department to determine the actual date that they will report for duty,” she said.

The MOH is also aware that the transition of medical officers and relocation can leave a void in the many departments, hospitals, and clinics they have served. – Bernama, July 29, 2023.