PETALING JAYA: Salary-based regional incentive payment (BIW), higher rural hardship allowance and proper accommodation should be introduced by the government to make service in Sabah and Sarawak more attractive for healthcare professionals, says a senator.
DR RA Lingeshwaran proposed 11 immediate packages to strengthen the healthcare workforce in Sabah and Sarawak, including providing clear career pathways and specialist training so healthcare personnel understand that serving in those states can contribute positively to career development.
“Those who complete the required period of training service in Sabah and Sarawak with the prescribed key performance indicators and satisfactory performance should be given priority to apply for pathways like Master's programme and Health Ministry specialist training.
“Every doctor should be clearly informed that the standard placement period is 24 months, where upon satisfactory completion, they can apply for transfer; pursue specialist training or choose their next placement,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (Oct 7).
He said the BIW for newly appointed officers posted to Sabah and Sarawak should be reviewed and restored to a system-based on a percentage of salary, rather than a fixed rate to reflect the cost of living, geographical distance and challenges of working in those states.
“A hardship allowance of at least RM1,000 per month for doctors and healthcare personnel serving in designated hardship locations should also be introduced.
“For extremely remote locations, the rate should be increased according to the level of hardship and accessibility,” he said, adding that proper accommodation with basic facilities such as water, electricity, Internet connection, security and maintenance is also a must.
Where government quarters are unavailable, a housing allowance should adequately reflect the actual rental rates in the respective area, he said.
Dr Lingeshwaran the ministry should provide an advance payment for approved relocation costs, including air tickets, excess baggage, transportation and other related expenses, as doctors should not be required to spend thousands of ringgit upfront before a posting.
He highlighted the need to provide return airfares to Peninsular Malaysia, which is important for officers living separately from their spouses and children due to the posting.
Apart from that, he suggested approaches such as career incentives for rural and remote service, retention incentive after 24 months as well as ensuring reasonable workload and family support for officers, as financial incentives alone are insufficient.
He added that the measures should be extended beyond doctors to include nurses, pharmacists, dental officers, allied health professionals and other critical healthcare personnel.
“The shortage of doctors cannot be addressed in isolation. The entire healthcare team must be adequately staffed.
“The government does not need to wait for long-term reforms. Within three months, the ministry and Public Service Department can introduce an interim package covering the above to make service in Sabah and Sarawak fairer, more attractive and sustainable,” he said.
