Locum docs at public healthcare facilities to get allowances right away, says Dr Zul

KUALA LUMPUR: The allowance for locum doctors in public healthcare facilities will be paid immediately and retained at RM80 per hour, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

He said the matter, which has caused distress among doctors who put in locum hours at public healthcare facilities, has now been solved.

"We studied the matter and we finally received approval from the government to pay all doctors who put in locum hours at public healthcare facilities RM80 per hour immediately.

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"This is good news and the payments will be processed right away. We consider this matter solved," he told the media on Friday (Feb 23) after witnessing a memorandum of understanding between the Health Ministry and IHH Healthcare for cancer patient care.

Previously, doctors who did locum work at public facilities lamented that they were not being paid their due despite putting in extra hours on Saturdays and public holidays.

The Health Ministry had said last year that medical officers ordered to be on duty on Saturdays and public holidays were eligible for locum allowance, while those who work from 9am to 1pm on Sundays could apply for replacement leave to their respective department heads.