Contract docs pin hopes on HDK's meeting with Dr Zaliha

PETALING JAYA : Contract medical officers are placing their hopes squarely on Hartal Doktor Kontrak's (HDK) meeting with Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa on Tuesday (April 11).

They hope that through HDK, their voices may be heard at the high-level committee formed to resolve their plight.

A contract doctor from Penang said it was high time the stakeholders themselves were on the committee.

ALSO READ: HDK wants to be in contract doctors committee

“We need people from our fraternity on the committee. We are done with civil servants, who have no idea what is happening on the field, making decisions (that affect) us.

"We have seen the consequences with the contract system and the working conditions,” said the doctor.

Echoing this, a contract doctor from Kuala Lumpur who wanted to be known only as Saiful hoped HDK or any other junior doctor groups would be included in the committee.

“Many top ministry officers are leaving or retiring. We hope those working on the ground are given a chance to bring the voices of healthcare workers to the top.

"I hope Dr Zaliha will consider this ... it will be a (step) in the right direction,” he said.

HDK spokesman Dr Muhammad, when contacted, said the group’s participation in the committee will be among the matters up for discussion.

On April 1, Dr Zaliha said the Cabinet had agreed to set up the committee comprising several ministries and agencies, as well as the Chief Secretary to the Government.

This is to deal with widely-publicised issues related to contract doctors, she said, adding that strikes were not the best way to resolve issues in the medical field.

ALSO READ: Almost 13,000 contract doctors to be given permanent positions within three years, says PM

This was in reference to the planned Mogok Doktor Malaysia strike action from April 3 to 5.

On a related note, HDK said in a series of tweets it would make sure that healthcare workers were represented in the committee.

It also called on other relevant groups to work together to improve the health sector.

“Moving forward, we believe actual healthcare workers' active participation in related executive decisions will reflect the changes needed by the ministry.

"If we can decide on matters of life or death involving patients, we (should) be able to decide the system (governing) our services,” it said in a tweet.