Docs seeking greener pastures away from home

PETALING JAYA: Unsure of a future career and higher salaries are among the reasons why young doctors leave their jobs at the Health Ministry.

While more needs to be done to plug the brain drain of fresh medical graduates and medical officers (MO) to other countries, those who have gone overseas shared why they decided to pursue a greener pasture away from home.

A medical doctor, who only wanted to be known as Najwa, 30, remembers feeling unsure about her future when she was working in Malaysia.

“There is no guarantee of a permanent post even if you outshine everyone. Really depends on luck.

“Seniors were toxic and bullying was rampant. I would come home crying and exhausted every day.

“My father then suggested that I move to Australia with my older sister, who is a pharmacist, so that we can have a better career.”

Najwa said the brutal working hours in Malaysia, which can be more than 36 hours, had made her depressed.

“Of course, I feel sad about having to leave, but when you’re not wanted or appreciated, it’s best to read between the lines and know that you’re better off elsewhere,” she said.

An internal medicine specialist who only wanted to be known as Dr Adam said he decided to pursue a career in Singapore in 2016, about a year after becoming a specialist.

“I was planning to have a family and was searching for a better environment for my next generation.

“I chose Singapore because it ticks all the boxes on my list and it’s still not too far away from my hometown in Melaka.

“Of course, the money was attractive, too, that allows me to raise a family comfortably,” he said.

Having served at several government hospitals in Malaysia previously, Dr Adam, 40, said doctors who choose to remain in the public sector deserve more attention, especially from their “seniors, superiors and those at the ministry”.

“We cannot stop people from wanting and going after something better for themselves, and it is the same at any workplace.

“It’s long overdue for the authority to revamp the healthcare system and have better career prospects for our doctors,” he said.

His younger brother, also a doctor, however, chose to remain in the Health Ministry.

“Yes, the pasture is certainly greener on the other side, as Singapore has one of the best healthcare systems in the world,” said Dr Matthew, as he prefers to be called.

“But after much thinking, I decided to stay and continue pursuing my specialist and sub-specialist qualification in Malaysia.

“I want to serve and I want to be part of a better change to the system that I believe will come,” he said, adding that the journey was tough, challenging and humbling at the same time.

“Sometimes, you see wrongdoings, but there is not much you can do as a junior even though you can and know how to do it better.

“Over the years, I have learned to work with what I have. As long as I can help my patients to be better, I can live with it,” said Dr Matthew, who specialises in geriatrics.