PETALING JAYA: Budget 2027 must focus on retaining healthcare workers, strengthening screening networks and making the private healthcare sector a national partner, says the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA).
Its president Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo said 3,494 doctors left the Health Ministry between 2019 and 2023, including 2,385 medical officers and 1,109 specialists.
“Data presented by the Public Service Department to the Parliamentary Special Select Committee also showed ministry vacancies increased from 10,419 in 2017 to 54,362 in 2024, while the filling rate fell from 96% to 83%. Creating posts alone will not solve the problem.
“We must make public healthcare sufficiently attractive for people to join, remain and build their careers,” he said.
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Dr Thirunavukarasu said that healthcare professionals also needed clear career pathways, fair recognition, reasonable working conditions and confidence that their service was valued.
MMA proposed that specialists be eligible for consideration for progression to Gred Khas or Gred Utama C after at least five years of satisfactory service following gazettement.
“Promotion should not be automatic. It should be merit- based, with 80% of the assessment based on published, objective and measurable criteria, and 20% based on a structured professional assessment,” said Dr Thirunavukarasu.
By the 10th year after gazettement, every specialist recognised as a medical consultant should have undergone a formal promotion assessment, with the outcome and reasons clearly communicated, he said.
“A similar pathway should be established for recognised subspecialists after a defined minimum period of subspecialist service.
“The government should not recognise consultant-level responsibilities without providing a fair and transparent opportunity for corresponding career progression.
“This will strengthen accountability, restore confidence and give experienced specialists a reason to remain in public service,” he said.
Dr Thirunavukarasu also called for greater involvement of private general practitioners in national programmes, including the National Immunisation Programme and medical examinations for university students and civil servants.
“This will strengthen continuity of care, improve access and reduce pressure on public facilities,” he said.
MMA also proposed a Private Healthcare Development Division within the Health Ministry to coordinate development of the sector, as well as a RM10mil allocation to digitise registration and licensing processes administered by the Private Medical Practice Control Section.
“Its initial priority should be private primary care, where more than 11,000 GP clinics can be mobilised quickly to support national healthcare programmes.
“Its wider mandate should include engagement and development across the private healthcare sector, including hospitals, diagnostic services and other healthcare providers,” he said.
Dr Thirunavukarasu said measures with financial implications could be introduced progressively, starting with long-serving personnel, critical specialties and areas facing the most severe shortages.
“Other reforms, including transparent promotion criteria, removal of unnecessary administrative barriers and better coordination, require policy decisions rather than major allocations.
“A real-time national healthcare workforce dashboard should also be implemented to track vacancies, distribution, training capacity and attrition,” he said.
