KUALA LUMPUR: Medical groups have welcomed Health Ministry's announcement on the creation of permanent posts for medical doctors, which they believe will eventually resolve the issue faced by contract doctors in the country.
In a joint statement today, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), Gerakan Hartal Doktor Kontrak, Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia (IMAM) and Malaysian Medics International (MMI) - expressed their appreciation and thanked Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin for making it happen.
"This is indeed welcoming news. We are finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel on this longstanding issue," MMA president, Dr Koh Kar Chai said in the statement.
The Health Ministry had announced at yesterday's townhall meeting with the MMA that 3,586 permanent positions for medical doctors will be created this year, with at least 1,500 additional permanent posts for medical officers (MOs), dental officers and pharmacists to be opened up annually from 2023 to 2025.
Dr Koh also said the medical community welcomed the Ministry's announcement on an increase of 800 permanent positions for specialists on an annual basis.
However, he said it is hoped that more specialist positions will be added towards the target of having more than 18,000 specialists in the country by 2025.
"There was meaningful engagement in yesterday's townhall session where all stakeholders from medical students to subspecialists were given the opportunity to voice their thoughts and concerns on various issues.
"In our discussions, the Health Minister also assured us that his ministry will be looking into the promotion to grade UD 47 for doctors due for this promotion.
"The Health Minister was frank in explaining the situation and challenges faced in securing more permanent positions for our junior doctors."
Nevertheless, he said they view the recent announcement with optimism that the issue of contract doctors will eventually be resolved.
"Of course, some time will be needed to work through all issues. However, we strongly believe that with the comprehensive and inclusive approach demonstrated by the Health Ministry, Finance Ministry and JPA in yesterday's engagement, we can get there sooner than expected."
Dr Koh, however, said moving forward, continued fruitful engagement with the authorities will be crucial to resolve many other pressing issues.
Among these issues to be addressed, he said would be the very reason why Malaysia landed in this current situation of so many contract doctors facing an uncertain future.
"While new permanent positions will be opened up yearly as announced, the number of new medical students in the country still needs to be controlled, lest we return to square one in no time."