KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 386 medical officers resigned from the Health Ministry last year, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
Of the number, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said 12 or 3.1% of the 386 migrated overseas.
“The ministry does not have the authority to stop medical officers from finding jobs in the private sector or abroad, nor can it prevent headhunting by the private sector or registered headhunters,” he said in a Parliamentary written reply on Tuesday (Aug 19).
Dzulkefly said the migration of healthcare professionals abroad is not something new, and also happens in other developed countries.
“The main reason is due to more competitive salaries, influenced by currency exchange. When converted to the ringgit, it is much higher especially in developed or high-income countries,” he added.
However, he said the ministry is taking various initiatives to hinder migrations and retain talent.
Among others, this includes increasing the number of permanent positions for those under the contract system, with 13,552 offered since 2023.
On average, he said more than 4,000 medical officers are given permanent appointments annually.
He said a competitive salary of RM5,380, is also offered to Grade UD9 medical officers.
“This is the highest compared to other public service schemes. The annual increment can go as high as RM225,” he said.
He added that special incentives and allowances are also given to medical officers.
Mental health and psychosocial support is also available for medical officers, he said.
“Efforts to retain medical officers in the public sector is not solely the Health Ministry’s responsibility, but instead a complex issue that requires long-term efforts and solutions from various stakeholders and agencies.
“We will continue holding engagements with federal agencies to improve the incentives and benefits for medical offers in efforts to ensure they continue serving with the ministry,” he said.
Dzulkefly was responding to a question by Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan (PN-Permatang Pauh) who asked about the ministry’s efforts in overcoming the migration of young doctors abroad due to work stress and the contract system.
