KUALA LUMPUR: The protection and welfare of healthcare workers, as well as students' mental health, drew attention from MPs during the policy-stage debate on the Supply Bill (Budget) 2027 in the Dewan Rakyat Wednesday (Oct 14).
Datuk Willie Mongin (GPS-Puncak Borneo) proposed that the government consider establishing a protection scheme for high-risk duties, including the Flying Doctor Service (FDS), following the FDS helicopter crash in Long Lellang, Ulu Baram, Sarawak, on Sept 8, which claimed five lives.
He said the incident, which killed a pilot and four Health Ministry personnel, highlighted differences in the protection provided to the victims' next of kin based on their employment status, although they had been aboard the same helicopter and undertaking the same mission.
"I propose that this protection scheme be based on three principles. First, automatic coverage, with protection starting when an individual is assigned an official high-risk duty, without requiring an insurance application or additional contributions from the officer.
"Second, comprehensive coverage, encompassing air, sea and land missions, rescue operations, disaster relief, healthcare missions and high-risk humanitarian duties.
"Third, the new scheme should provide additional protection and not remove or reduce the entitlements of next of kin under pensions, the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO), ex gratia, insurance or government contracts," Willie said.
He also stressed that contracts for FDS services should not be awarded solely on the basis of the lowest price, but should take into account safety, helicopter age, maintenance records, fleet reliability and the operator's capabilities.
Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman (PN-Kuala Krai) also supported the proposal, stressing that protection for healthcare workers should cover all forms of high-risk assignments, not just air services.
He said that if the proposed increase in allowances for personnel serving in high-risk areas from RM30 to RM100 applied only to air services, the welfare of those facing danger while travelling by road, crossing rivers or using water transport to provide treatment should also be addressed, particularly in remote areas and Orang Asli settlements.
"I propose that takaful coverage be provided for doctors, medical assistants, nurses and drivers serving in high-risk areas to safeguard their welfare in the event of accidents, injuries or death while performing their duties," he said.
Meanwhile, Oscar Ling Chai Yew (PH-Sibu), in his debate, urged the Health Ministry and the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) to take a proactive approach by assessing and recognising more medical qualifications, including those from overseas universities, to address the country's healthcare workforce shortage.
"For example, medical programmes in China offer attractive options in terms of cost and clinical training quality. Recognition should therefore be expanded to programmes that meet Malaysian standards without lowering the standards of local medical education," he said.
He added that several institutions, including Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Fudan University, were already recognised by the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC).
Datuk Shahelmy Yahya (BN-Putatan) urged the Health Ministry to investigate why 91 of the 138 medical officers approved for placement in Sabah had failed to report for duty, and to identify factors that made the state a less preferred posting.
He said efforts to attract more medical officers to Sabah should be accompanied by improvements to basic facilities, Internet access and road networks, as well as allowances and incentives commensurate with the challenges of the postings and the local cost of living.
"The Health Ministry must identify all the shortcomings and weaknesses that need to be reformed. MOH must act to ensure that Sabah is no longer the last choice," he said.
Meanwhile, Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (PN-Masjid Tanah) highlighted the need to strengthen mental health interventions for pupils by ensuring that data on students' mental and psychological health could be shared between the Education Ministry and Heatlh Ministry.
She said data sharing between the ministries was important and should not be subject to excessive confidentiality or the Official Secrets Act (OSA), to enable interventions to address mental health issues among students.
"The Health Ministry often visits schools to conduct campaigns as an approach to addressing students' mental health issues, but does the Education Ministry provide data to enable targeted and effective interventions?" she said.
She also urged the government to reinstate community clinics to improve access to treatment and ease overcrowding at public health clinics.
The Dewan Rakyat sitting resumes Thursday (Oct 15). - Bernama
