Nationwide contract doctors protest to proceed this Monday

File Photo

24 July 2021

By Ilona Andrew

KUALA LUMPUR: The Hartal Doktor Kontrak Movement will proceed with its plan to go on a massive strike this Monday (July 26) at public hospital areas to protest against the government that fails to meet the demands of contract doctors.

In a press statement, the group differed objected to the solution put forward by the Government as is not in the best interest of contract officers.

The offer would only jeopardize the country's health system as many would eventually choose to leave instead, it stated.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has offered a two-year contract extension to doctors who have completed their compulsory service.

Meanwhile, the contract for medical and dental officers who have been selected to follow the Master's programme will be extended for a maximum of four years.

These officers were also offered places in the Hadiah Latihan Persekutuan (HPL) programme and several other benefits similar to permanent medical officers.

"The solutions offered are rather short-sighted and does not address the real issues concerning the contract officers. A contract medical officer is forever seen as second class doctors compared to their permanent counterparts.

"The issue of lack of job security will not be solved with just a two years' contract extension. Permanent posts for all contract medical and other healthcare officers must be given instead.

"Despite allowing the contract doctors to apply for HLP, it is rather odd that only a short duration of contract years are being offered since on many occasions it takes many years before medical officers are being accepted into the Master's programme.

"An extension of a contract for a maximum of four years for those accepted into Master's programme also seems bizarre since the duration of the programme itself is a minimum of four years and not including the gazettement period which takes another six to 18 months ... This shows the lack of understanding in our local specialist training," the group said.

The strike will be held at all health centres under the supervision of the Ministry of Health Malaysia.

As many as 4,000 medical officers are expected to join the strike which will be held at 11am.