Ensuring we have enough specialists

THE Academy of Medicine of Malaysia welcomes the Oct 5 decision by the Health Ministry to confer permanent posts on 150 contract medical officers (MOs) in Sarawak. There now remains 4,541 permanent positions approved by the Public Service Department for the Health Ministry throughout 2020 that have yet to be created.

We urge that these permanent positions be filled instead of creating more contract posts. Contract MOs are currently helping to keep our health system afloat during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is imperative that the government acknowledges their contributions and sacrifices by providing them with job security and the opportunity for career progression through permanent posts.