No go for doctor’s ‘mogok’

PETALING JAYA: Despite multiple threats and all the hype, the proposed three-day nationwide strike by contract doctors seems to have fizzled out.

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) said no absenteeism was reported at public healthcare facilities.

“So far, checks by the MMA show there is no strike. However, the issue of public fear needs to be addressed,” said its president Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai in a statement.

Dr Muruga Raj said they had been receiving calls from the public asking if healthcare facilities are operating as usual today despite the strike threat. MMA hoped the Health Ministry would also reassure the public through press statements and social media updates.

The Mogok Doktor Malaysia’s strike – planned for yesterday to tomorrow – had proposed that doctors take emergency and medical leave for the three-day period.Meanwhile, sources in the know said many doctors are hesitant to participate in the strike. “People may be hinging their bets on what happens today. If there is widespread news of successful action, they may be emboldened to be more ‘visible’ on Tuesday or Wednesday,” said one source.

However, the source noted that there had indeed been resignations every month, and this has got more frequent lately.

Contract doctors felt the strike’s failure was due to a lack of clear leadership, organisation and the vagueness of the organisers, adding that it seemed like an attempt to copy the National Health Service strike in the UK.

“People wouldn’t risk their careers or jobs to follow someone wearing a mask. This is not Gotham,” said a doctor.

“Generally, you’d want to have clear steps. You must have negotiated with the Health Ministry, Public Service Department, Finance Ministry, etc. When all fails, then you strike,” he added.

Cuepacs, the union for civil servants, which had expressed solidarity with the protesting group over the contract doctors issue, had also disagreed with any move to go on strike.

Its president Datuk Adnan Mat said a strike would only affect the government’s healthcare delivery system.