KUALA LUMPUR: Government hospitals have been put on alert for a possible three-day strike by contract doctors from today.
A group known as Mogok Doktor Kontrak, claiming to represent government contract doctors, claimed that more than 8,000 doctors were expected to down tools to protest against their low wages and a purportedly unfair system.
Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the ministry's officials had been asked to monitor if the strike would go on as planned. "As part of our contingency plan, state health directors and hospital directors have been asked to be on alert," she said.
Dr Zaliha said hospital and clinic operations would not be affected if the strike took place.
"We will ensure no disruptions to the operations of the ministry's health facilities, with health services provided to the people," she told the New Straits Times.
Mogok Doktor Malaysia had said the strike would go on and urged doctors to take either emergency or medical leave for the next three days.
It discouraged walkouts or demonstrations and said those who wanted to quit should do so en-masse on April 1.
Meanwhile, Dr Zaliha said she understood the predicament of the group but said going on strike was not the solution.
The ministry, she added, had issued reminders against the strike via a circular by the Public Service Department director-general.
She added that those who participate in the strike would be subjected to the civil servants' integrity and public service etiquette.
She said she would need time to tackle the contract doctors' problems but no one should doubt her commitment.
"I am a medical doctor and I am trying my best to solve it. Am I not being serious in solving it if I bring this up to the cabinet level?
"I don't have a magic wand to solve things in seconds. No one does."
Meanwhile, she was also asked on the composition of the high-level committee set up to tackle the contract doctor issue, as announced on Saturday.
She said the committee would comprise key ministries and government agencies, adding that she would discuss its setup with Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.
"They (committee members) will include the Health Ministry, Public Service Department, Finance Ministry and Higher Education Ministry. Perhaps the economy minister needs to be roped in as well."
She had said the issue was an ongoing one and inherited from the previous government.
The government had set up the contract doctor scheme in 2016 due to an oversupply of doctors.
The ministry, she added, had resolved several issues over the period, such as creating permanent positions, sponsoring
specialists' training, time-based promotions, special grade promotions and creating the UD56 grade for medical specialists.
Meanwhile, doctors' rights group Hartal Doktor Kontrak has distanced itself from the planned strike.
A spokesman, however, urged the Health Ministry to include the group in the high-level committee talks.
The spokesman said this would ensure that any decision made received the agreement of contract doctors themselves.
He said although there was doubt about the effectiveness of the committee as similar bids in the past had failed, it was keeping its hopes raised.