PUTRAJAYA: A proposal to end the contract system for healthcare workers is set to be presented to the Cabinet in the near future, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (pic, below).
The Health Minister said this has been a key priority since his return for a second term leading the ministry.
“However, managing human resources will remain a significant challenge for me,” Dzulkefly admitted candidly during a recent interview with The Star.
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A solution is needed, he added, to end the contract scheme that has been in place since 2016 and revert to permanent positions for doctors.
“I’m also looking seriously into ending the era of contract doctors that started as an interim scheme that has somehow prolonged,” he said.
He said ending the contract system would boost the morale of healthcare workers.
He hopes to find a solution to the human resources issue which has not only been plaguing the healthcare system but has almost crippled it.
However, he admitted that it would not be an easy challenge.
A country that is moving to an ageing society and the rising burden of non-communicable diseases increase the demand for healthcare services.
Dzulkefly acknowledged that there is an acute shortage of healthcare workers and that demand has outstripped supply.
One of his successes since coming back to office was seeing through the amendment to the Medical Act, which recognised the parallel pathway specialist training.
“So, that in a way is a big relief. Already now, we get to see cardiothoracic surgeons and others get to be registered,” he said.
“So, yes, training of specialists is one thing that I’ve addressed quite conclusively in a way.
“And of course, coming on the heel, that would be the doctors. So, doctors are a big challenge. There’s been a diminution or reduction of almost close to 50% to the supply side. And still, of course, doctors, even before they graduate, they get poached by our neighbouring countries. So, that would add on to the burden,” he added.
Dzulkefly said the ministry has regularised and systemised the e-placement system where doctors are required to choose three placement options whereby one has to be in Sabah or Sarawak.
“Although I understand it’s not as easy, but I’ve met them during my many visits to Sabah and Sarawak. Some are quite remote districts, where they all went so reluctantly at first. But now, they are very fulfilled, and they are happy to serve there,” he said.
“There is currently a shortage of 14,000 nurses in public healthcare, and nurses as well as community nurses will soon be appointed to permanent positions.
“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.
“So, all these are legacy issues that I said, I come to inherit, but I quickly want to turn around all these challenges into opportunities that I have to end contract errors – doctors and now nurses,” he said.
“I’ve never been complacent in my job. We have made some progress, but, you know, I would want to achieve more,” he added.
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