KUALA LUMPUR, August 12 — The issue of health worker welfare was the focus of MPs during the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) motion in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen proposed that the government abolish the contract system among doctors to address the issue of a shortage of health workers at Health Ministry (MOH) facilities.
"For me, those who have served for more than three years and serve in rural or remote areas should be given priority to get permanent placement as soon as possible, while for those who have just entered the MOH system, we should immediately abolish this contract system," he said.
Dr Yii also asked the government to expedite the increase in on-call allowances for doctors and nurses and provide special allocations and emoluments.
Meanwhile, Kapar MP Dr Halimah Ali is of the view that the country's health system needs systemic changes, especially in the transfer process, working hours, and remuneration.
She also proposed that MOH hold discussions with the Human Resources Ministry and the Women, Family, and Community Development Ministry to ensure workers in the sector can achieve work-life balance.
Kuala Pilah MP Datuk Adnan Abu Hassan also raised the issue of a worrying shortage of health workers, in addition to stressing that modern and well-equipped health facilities will not be fully utilised without sufficient manpower.
Therefore, the deployment of MOH's workforce should be made the main indicator in the implementation of health projects under the 13MP, especially in rural areas.
"Every new project, whether a hospital, clinic, or health office, must be accompanied by realistic human resource projections, including aspects of permanent and contract positions to ensure that the implementation of physical projects is in line with operational capabilities," he said.
The sitting resumes tomorrow.
