EMPLOYMENT of contract doctors, overcrowding at healthcare facilities, maldistribution of healthcare workers and specialists shortages are among the issues that the new Malaysian Medical Association president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz plans to tackle.

“The wellbeing of doctors, and by extension, all healthcare workers in the public healthcare system, should be treated as a priority to ensure the highest quality of care in the country is maintained,” she said in a statement today.

“I am looking forward to engaging with the Ministry of Health (MOH) to resolve these issues as these are important areas to address to improve the delivery of care.”

More than 70% of the population rely on public healthcare services, she added.

“Hospitals operate 24/7 and healthcare workers deal with life and death situations on an almost daily basis. The wellbeing of healthcare workers is paramount to maintain high quality care for the best possible outcomes.”

Azizan said other issues that need to be addressed are remuneration, the junior doctors’ career pathway, the work environment and the work-life balance of doctors to prevent burnout. 

She also expressed hope that some of the healthcare reforms planned by the government will be carried out during her term. 

“MMA presidents serve for only a year.  We hope to get an update from the MOH soon on the implementation of healthcare reforms that are being planned in line with the health white paper” she said. 

She said she would also look into the problems facing private medical practitioners.

“The private general practitioners’ fee schedule and issues with third party administrators or managed care organisations… will be addressed in our engagements with the ministry.” – September 9, 2023.