DATUK Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa (pic) has called for the establishment of the proposed National Health Services Commission to resolve the appointment of contract doctors.
The Government Backbenchers Club chairman said the proposal should be revisited in light of recent developments.
“When I was the Health Minister, this matter was reviewed, which also saw the establishment of a technical working group in October 2023 to look at suitable models and mechanisms.
“If we want to resolve the issue of contract doctors, there is a pressing need to review the establishment of this commission,” she said during the Budget 2027 debate.
The Sekijang MP said a sustainable and comprehensive mechanism was needed, taking into account factors such as expertise and demographics.
The commission was first mooted in 2009 and later included as a pledge in Pakatan Harapan’s 2022 election manifesto.
Dr Zaliha also sought an update on the proposed commission, including whether a suitable model and its parameters had been identified.
“We also need to know the timeline for establishing this commission. This is a very significant development, especially for younger doctors who may be unclear about their career paths.
“While the government has announced its commitment to end the contract doctor system, we need a clearer picture of how this policy will be implemented comprehensively,” she said.
When tabling Budget 2027, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government was committed to resolving the issue of contract doctors.
He also said the Madani administration had appointed more than 15,000 contract doctors to permanent posts since 2023, including 4,000 in 2026.
While commending the move, Dr Zaliha also proposed that the Health Ministry turn its attention towards the care economy in response to Malaysia’s ageing population.
