PETALING JAYA: Prioritising the placement of doctors from Sabah and Sarawak to their home states may help address the critical manpower shortage in their healthcare system, say stakeholders.
Additionally, improved incentives for doctors from the peninsula could mitigate the shortfall of medical personnel in these two states.
Retired Health Ministry director Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said doctors from Sabah and Sarawak should be given precedence before opening slots to those from the peninsula.
This approach enables doctors to remain closer to their homes and families, which in turn enhances their understanding of the local environment and culture, he said.
“Furthermore, the relocation costs are lower compared to sending personnel from the peninsula. These doctors can also pursue further studies at local universities,” he said.
In response to the uneven distribution of healthcare staff, the Health Ministry in June mandated that contract medical officers transitioning to permanent roles must select at least one placement option in Sabah or Sarawak via the e-Placement 2.0 system.According to Health Ministry data from April 2025, Sabah has only 4,708 doctors but requires 9,356.
In Sarawak, Deputy Premier Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian reported that there are just 4,000 doctors, half of whom are from Peninsular Malaysia, against a needed 6,000 by 2025.
Independent health advocate Dr Sean Thum insisted that doctors should have a choice in their postings. He argued that requests from Sabahan and Sarawakian doctors to work in their home states should receive consideration.
He also noted that many medical officers are concerned that relocation allowances are not provided, causing a financial burden for medical officers forced to move from the peninsula to Sabah and Sarawak, and vice versa.
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Hartal Doktor Kontrak spokesperson Dr Muhammad Yassin agreed that the manpower issue is a nationwide problem but particularly acute in Sabah and Sarawak.
“While we agree that placement of local doctors in Sabah and Sarawak should be prioritised, the numbers alone won’t resolve the shortages. We are still dependent on doctors from the peninsula,” he said.
He suggested that the placement system should allow doctors from Sabah and Sarawak to choose their home states as their primary option.
“However, exceptions should be made for peninsula doctors with family or health issues to be placed closer to home,” he said.
Dr Muhammad also said more incentives are needed for doctors to serve in the Borneo states.
“More allowances, more perks like free or discounted flight tickets back to the peninsula and more points for those serving in Sabah and Sarawak if they are applying for specialist courses,” he added.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad recently revealed that about 20% of the 600 medical officers who had applied to be transferred out from Sabah and Sarawak would have to “bite the bullet” and stay put for now.
He said the ministry was reviewing the transfer requests but could not accommodate every application without affecting health services in the two states, which are facing a critical manpower crunch.
