An additional 4,186 permanent positions at Health Ministry by June, says Khairy

PETALING JAYA: The Cabinet has decided to create 4,186 permanent positions for medical practitioners at the Health Ministry beginning June this year.

According to Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, the figure consists of 3,586 medical officers, 300 dental officers and 300 pharmacy officers.

"Appointments for these additional permanent positions will be made beginning June this year.

"The Cabinet also decided that at least 1,500 permanent positions for medical officers, dental officers and pharmacy officers will be created at the Health Ministry each year beginning 2023 till 2025," he said during a press conference on Thursday (Feb 10).

Khairy also said the Cabinet has decided to create 800 permanent positions for medical experts and 70 dental experts annually beginning next year in order to accommodate permanent specialists at facilities under the Health Ministry.

"With this new decision, 8,686 additional permanent positions involving medical officers, dental officers and pharmacy officers will be created from 2022 till 2025,” added Khairy.

Khairy also said there will be an additional 800 permanent appointments for medical officers and 70 dental officers that would be created annually to accommodate vacancies left by medical officers who were appointed as specialists.

"The Cabinet also agreed that a roadmap is currently being developed by the Health Ministry together with related agencies and ministry in order to find a short, medium and long term solution to the issue concerning contract officers."

According to Khairy, the contents of the road map included the setting up of a Bachelor of Medicine Technical Committee and Bachelor of Dental Surgery, and implementation of the Professional Qualification Examination to address quality issues concerning graduate competencies, among others.

"Further details about this road map are currently being fine tuned and it will be finalised.

"Developments regarding this matter will be announced from time to time," added Khairy.