PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry has held a dialogue with the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) to tackle several pressing issues affecting the nation's healthcare system.
The meeting, led by the Health Minister and key ministry officials, delved into concerns among healthcare professionals, particularly the proposed Staggered Working Hours (WBB) policy.
"MMA, with the feedback it has been receiving from its members and also other doctors, explained in great detail, the reasons and reservations why public healthcare doctors in general, do not agree nor support the WBB system.
"We acknowledged the intention behind the planned policy but emphasised the necessity of addressing the shortages and maldistribution of healthcare workers in the system before any new system is planned," said the MMA in a statement on Thursday (Jan 23).
Also discussed was the call for an increase in on-call allowances for all public healthcare doctors.
"We emphasised that this increase must be for all doctors and not tied to any particular working system," said the MMA.
It also urged for transparency and fairness in the allocation of permanent posts to contract doctors, with the MMA calling for clear selection criteria to be communicated to doctors involved so they understand their standing and requirements.
The MMA also urged the ministry to revisit the issue of the reduction of the Regional Incentive Payment (BIW) allowance following the implementation of the civil service remuneration system (SSPA) to ensure equitable allowances for doctors serving in similar roles and facilities.
