Around 600 medical officers apply to transfer out of East Malaysia
Around 600 medical officers currently stationed in Sabah and Sarawak have applied to transfer out from those states, says deputy health minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni.
Lukanisman said this has presented the health ministry with further difficulties to ensure public health services is provided to Malaysians in Sabah and Sarawak, Berita Harian reported.
“Would it be reasonable for us to station all our medical officers in the Klang Valley or in the cities only?
“For example, in Sarawak, we have 650 vacancies for permanent posts, but only seven medical officers have opted to take up these posts,” he was quoted as saying.
Lukanisman hoped the federal government and relevant agencies offer incentives for medical officers from West Malaysia to serve in Sabah and Sarawak.
He also suggested that both state governments set up a “fund” dedicated to these doctors, saying moving to East Malaysia would incur additional costs for them.
In December, Lukanisman said the ministry would implement a rotation system for medical officers to improve the placement process in rural and urban areas as well as address manpower shortages.
Category: MJN enews
