Call to implement shift system for public healthcare doctors

PETALING JAYA: To prevent brain drain and burnout involving doctors at public healthcare facilities, Putrajaya should consider switching to a shift system, says Malaysian Medical Association president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz.

The proposed shift system, said Dr Azizan, is similar to the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) which requires the working week to be an average of 48 hours, while in Australia, doctors work an average of between 35 and 38 hours a week.