KUALA LUMPUR: Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said his ministry now has full mandate and autonomy to manage, organise and distribute approved positions independently from the Public Service Department (JPA).
He said the mandate, effective July 9 and granted by JPA, would allow the ministry to speed up the placement of healthcare workers where they are most needed.
"This will accelerate the process of filling healthcare workforce requirements.
"With this, the problems of maldistribution and doctor shortages at certain healthcare facilities can be reduced gradually," he said during a Special Chamber session in Parliament on Monday (July 13).
Dzulkefly said JPA also established a Health Ministry Workforce Management Task Force in April to examine and resolve any workforce management issues faced by the Health Ministry.
He said the task force is chaired by the JPA director-general and other JPA senior officials from the Treasury, Health Ministry, Public Service Commission and JPA.
Dzulkefly said the ministry is also working with the Higher Education Ministry to ensure the long-term supply of healthcare workers meets national needs.
He said both ministries held preliminary discussions on June 18 and will establish a joint committee to coordinate this workforce planning effort.
Dzulkefly also noted that Malaysia's doctor-to-population ratio improved from one doctor for every 482 people in 2019 to one for every 403 people in 2024.
Sarawak also recorded progress, with its ratio improving from one doctor for every 682 residents in 2019 to one for every 590 residents in 2024.
He said the Health Ministry continues negotiating with central agencies to strengthen career security for contract medical officers.
"As a result, 4,500 contract medical officers have been offered permanent appointments this year," he said.
