A relocation nightmare

PETALING JAYA: Contract doctors have been fighting hard for permanent positions in the public healthcare system – and the Health Ministry is now offering them.

There’s a twist, though: Taking up those positions involves relocating, but the relocation allowance that was previously given is no longer available – and this will affect over 4,000 medical officers.

According to letters from the ministry’s human resources department sighted by Sunday Star, contract staff being absorbed into permanent positions will not be eligible for relocation claims as their services will “cut off” since they will be moving from contract to permanent positions.

The relocation exercise may turn out to be a nightmare not just for medical officers facing extra expenses and upheaval, it may hobble hospitals as well, say sources.

Some hospitals may be paralysed by a manpower shortage.

According to sources, Hospital Kuala Lumpur may lose some 200 doctors to the relocation exercise, while Hospital Serdang (in Selangor) and Hospital Tuanku Rahimah (in Klang) may see over 100 doctors leaving.

“Some hospitals such as Hospital Melaka may not be getting replacements as they were not an option when applications for placements were opened. But they have several medical officers relocating out,” one source said.

“This will lead to a shortage of manpower and may force some healthcare facilities to recalibrate their services. The waiting time will get longer for patients.

“If they are being offered permanent positions, why are they not allowed to continue at their current hospitals?” the source added.

The source said most doctors do not want to serve in Sabah or Sarawak, citing reasons such as being unable to be based far from their families, having care-giving responsibilities, and wanting to continue their specialist training, among others.

The Star had previously reported that the Miri and Limbang hospitals in Sarawak were already facing a shortage of medical officers – they need twice as many as they have now – and will be further squeezed with doctors quitting, transferring, or taking leave to attend specialist courses.On June 27, a notice was posted at the Sibu Hospital’s ophthalmology clinic informing the public of a longer waiting period owing to the shortage of medical staff.

State health director Dr Ooi Choo Huck reportedly said a specialist from the Sarawak General Hospital will be posted temporarily at Sibu Hospital to address the shortage.

Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni said more than 200 doctors had failed to report for work or rejected contract positions to serve in Sarawak.

They were among the 800 who were offered contract positions by the Health Ministry.

The doctors will have to report for duty at their new workplace by the end of the month, while the results of their appeal came out on July 12. It is learnt that at least some 700 doctors had appealed to serve in the Klang Valley.

Selangor native Dr Lee (name changed at her request), who is currently serving in Penang, will be transferred to Sarawak. Her appeal was rejected.

“We are supposed to report on July 31, but the official letter is not out yet till now.

“It was very disappointing at first during the selection when I wasn’t able to get the state or hospital that I wanted.

“It was my last choice to be shipped over to Sarawak. However, since it has been determined to be so and my appeal was in vain, I decided to go, leaving behind my elderly mother and disabled sibling.

“The more disappointing news is that there will be no relocation allowance,” she said.

Dr Lee said relocating to Sarawak is quite expensive, given her salary of RM4,000 to RM5,000.

“On top of having to rent a new place, going to a distant place, adapting to a new place, being away from family, we have to bear such costs.

“It really got me thinking if I really do need this job, because it seems like it doesn’t need me,” she said, adding that she is contemplating resigning.

“To add salt to the wound, they revoked the relocation allowance, stating that we are not eligible for the sole reason that we are transitioning from contract to permanent service,” she said.

Another doctor who wanted to be known only as Dr Savita said she had appealed to stay in the Klang Valley as she had just given birth and was breastfeeding.

“I had applied to stay in the Klang Valley, but it was rejected,” she said.

“Moving is not easy. We have to bear our own expenses. I may have to take out a loan to fund my transfer,” she added.