'Let's talk', Dr Zaliha tells healthcare workers planning strike

PETALING JAYA: Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa urges healthcare workers who are planning a strike to come forward and meet her to discuss a solution.

She said that as a doctor, she truly understands the current situation faced by the workers in the public health system and going on a strike will not solve the problems.

“I want to let those who are involved or planning to be involved (in the strike) know that this will not solve the problems.

“The best way is for us to meet (to discuss),” she said in a one-minute TikTok video on Wednesday (Feb 15).

Dr Zaliha said she acknowledged the issues faced by the healthcare workers, however, admitted that she needed time to figure out the solutions.

“If possible, I would like to solve the problems today. However, I need time to understand the issues deeper and find the solutions,” she added.

Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai in a statement on Tuesday (Feb 14) said the association has heard of a possible strike by public healthcare workers.

He said that the healthcare system and its human resources have been stretched to their limits for many years.

MMA, however, did not condone the strike and urged the government to take the speculation seriously, and speed up reforms to address their long-standing grievances.

It was also reported that Ipoh Timur MP Howard Lee had raised concerns about an unannounced strike by healthcare workers.

Respon terhadap perencanaan mogok mengejut (unannounced strike). pic.twitter.com/uPzAqZvmQx — Dr.Zaliha Mustafa (@Zaliha_DrZ) February 15, 2023