KUALA LUMPUR: There are currently more than 8,000 specialists serving the Health Ministry, of whom 19 are contracted staff.
“As of Aug 31, 2025, 8,385 medical specialists are serving under the Health Ministry, comprising 8,366 permanent appointments and 19 who are on contract,” the ministry said in a parliamentary written reply dated Oct 30.
“In terms of the absorption rate of contract doctors into permanent positions, the Health Ministry remains committed to ensuring the career security of contract medical officers through continuous engagement sessions with central agencies to increase the number of permanent positions,” it added.
Its Health Strategic Plan 2021-2025 focuses on addressing the issue of the shortage of medical specialists through three main approaches: expanding specialist training, increasing the number of posts, and ensuring more efficient distribution of services
“The capacity for specialist training has been enhanced through the expansion of specialist programmes. The intake for specialist training (both Master's and parallel pathways) has increased from 1,395 in 2022 to 1,698 in 2025,” it said.
A total of 800 specialist posts were created each year from 2023 to accommodate the placement of medical specialists completing their training, the ministry said.
As for medical officers, in 2025 alone, 4,518 were offered permanent appointments, and between 2022 and Oct 30 this year, the numbers have totalled to 17,279.
The ministry was responding to a question by Datuk Seri Sh Mohmed Puzi Sh Ali(BN-Pekan) on the efficacy of the strategic plan, which focused on specialist shortage and the statistics of absorption of doctors.
