Nationwide contract doctors strike a success
26 July 2021
By Jacquline Ebit
KUALA LUMPUR: A group of contract doctors managed to hold a peaceful strike at all government hospitals nationwide at 11am this morning as planned by the Hartal Contract Doctors Movement.
The rally was held to demand that contract doctors be given better job security and similar benefits as permanent doctors.
Despite objection from superiors and threats of disciplinary action against individuals who participated in the rally, quite a number of doctors still staged the protest.
The group of doctors were seen holding placards and posters that read '#hkontrak' and 'we are your future specialists' as they left their respective hospitals.
Meanwhile, a renowned doctor Dr Rafidah Abdullah said: “What I know now is that my future health is in good hands."
"They (contract doctors) conducted the assembly professionally. They do not feel intimidated by the threats received and they never leave the patient," she said said on her Twitter posting.
"It was a peaceful protest. SOP was complied with, no mass gatherings in one area," said another Twitter user.
Another user who supported the rally said: “I pray that the contract doctors who staged the rally this morning throughout Malaysia will make everything easier."
"To the government, stop any form of intimidation. Good luck doctors! We are with you! #HartalDoktorKontrak,” the twitter posting read.
The Contract Doctors movement involved 24 hospitals nationwide in protest against the government over their previous claims.
It was estimated that a total of 50 doctors walked out of the Kuala Lumpur Hospital building, 100 at the Sungai Buloh Hospital as well as 30 each at the Shah Alam Hospital and the Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Johor.
However, the Hartal Doktor Kontrak rally was not as well received in Sabah.
It was believed that only two medical officers attended the strike at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital while no one held the rally at the Tawau Hospital.
It was also learned that the contract doctors at the Covid-19 Quarantine and Treatment Center, MAEPS were unable to hold the rally as it was said to have received threats from the cops.
Earlier, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced plans of a two-year contract extension for medical officers who have completed their compulsory service.
However, the group objected to the solution proposed by the Government as they considered that it does not help resolve the issue.
