Comment: A glut and a freeze that’s waiting to explode

Urgent mismatch: It is ironic that while some doctors cannot get permanent posts, public hospitals are swamped with patients who have to endure a long waiting time due to staff shortage.

IN THE last two weeks, doctors and housemen have expressed a deep frustration over the way newly trained doctors are being treated, particularly contract doctors.

Already facing an uncertain career future, the contract doctors feel that they are being sidelined, given lesser pay, shuffled from one facility to another and deprived of opportunity to specialise.

“Many house officers who worked hard and performed well did not get a permanent doctor’s post after their internship. They are frustrated and are losing hope, ” said Malaysian Medics International (MMI) chairman Dr S. S. Vikkineshwaran.