(Malaysian Insider) SANTUBONG, May 31 ─ The Health Ministry is drawing up a better scheme of service and remuneration to retain doctors in the government service and to check the "brain drain" to the private sector.
Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said an average of 300 doctors and 50 specialists on grades UD41, UD44 and UD48 resigned from the government service every year, citing unsatisfactory salary, a heavy workload and unhappiness with the working environment.
“The ministry is fully aware of the doctor shortage and the brain drain to the private sector. I assure you that we are not keeping still about this.
"For example, the issue of allowances for specialists and better promotion prospects for them are being seriously studied by the ministry and a decision is expected soon.
"I assure you the ministry will announce the good news soon," he said at the 48th Malaysia Medical Association annual dinner.
Liow said the ministry recommended that allowances for specialists be reviewed as an incentive to doctors to remain in the public sector.
It was also proposed that the revision of the allowance should cover related disciplines such as dental and public health.
The last review was about 20 years ago.
To woo more doctors to serve in the remote areas in Sabah and Sarawak, Liow said Health Services director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican was looking into the hardship allowance for doctors serving in the interior.
Liow said the ministry was also working closely with Sarawak state government to review existing regulations to allow doctors from Peninsular Malaysia to set up their private practice in the state.
"My first task is to convey the Malaysian Medical Association's concerns that Peninsular Malaysia doctors be allowed to work freely in Sarawak.
"We hope the close collaboration between the ministry and the state government will resolve the problem as soon as possible," he said.
Liow also said the ministry was negotiating with the Public Service Department for a better scheme of service for junior doctors.
"A house officer who has completed two years’ training and has undergone the mandatory induction course and related requirements will be automatically promoted from UD41 to UD 44 in the third year of his career.
"At the same time, the welfare of the current UD41 medical officers appointed before 2008 will also not be forgotten. They will benefit through appropriate adjustments to their grades," he said.
Earlier, in his speech, MMA president Datuk Dr Khoo Kah Lin asked the ministry to hasten posting of new doctors.
“We know Singapore has taken in our doctors to work as the waiting time for posting of new doctors is short and application and processing is done online.
"We hope the ministry will improve on the posting time," he said.
He urged the ministry to improve on the transportation of patients from rural areas to urban centres such as Kuching. ─ Bernama
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