PETALING JAYA: Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad hinted that the government may do away with the contract doctor system.
“To all our doctors, we hear you. We value you. We’re with you, always. Together, we will endeavour to end the era of Contract Doctors (from what was supposedly an interim arrangement in 2016 that had survived till 2025),” he said in a post on X on Friday (Aug 8).
The contract system for medical officers was implemented in 2016 as a temporary measure to manage the glut of medical graduates at that time. Before that, doctors were hired to permanent positions.
However, it contributed to issues such as a shortage of manpower, brain drain and a lack of job security for medical graduates.
The issues became more apparent at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has also called for the contract system to be abolished to retain doctors in public healthcare.
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Dzulkefly also said that offer letters for permanent positions will be issued on Aug 18, with the reporting date being as early as Oct 2.
He said appointments would be made in three phases and assured that fairness and seniority would be upheld throughout the process.
He added that this ministry has been working closely with the Finance Ministry, the Public Service Commission of Malaysia and the Public Service Department to fast-track the hiring process.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced on July 23 that 4,352 new doctors will be hired this year.
