THE Health Ministry today said 2,083 more medical contract workers will be absorbed into permanent positions by year end.

Its minister, Dr Zaliha Mustafa, said it had completed the placement of medical contract workers since July.

She said the new placements were part of the 12,800 permanent posts announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim under Budget 2023.

“We have heard that 12,800 permanent positions have been given for three consecutive years.

“With the cooperation of the Public Services Commission, we will be able to offer permanent appointments to another 2,083 medical contract workers,” she said after attending the Health Ministry Training Institute (ILKKM) convocation ceremony for the peninsula zone at ILKKM Sultan Azlan Shah in Ipoh today.

Zaliha said as of September 23, there were 37,058 medical contract workers in the country with 31,459 vacancies.

“We have actually filled the vacancies. If we calculate that percentage, it means that 27% of the vacancies have already been filled. That is the situation at this point,” she said.

On April 4, Anwar announced that 12,800 of the 20,330 contract doctors would be absorbed into permanent positions within three years with an additional allocation of RM1.7 billion.

The appointment of the permanent doctors will take into account medical officers who have completed graduate training and are registered with the Malaysian Medical Council and meet the requirements for permanent appointment. – October 21, 2023.