Photo: Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: The appointment of medical house officers is done periodically every two months with a projected intake of 4,000 graduates per year, says Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
In a parliamentary written reply to a question raised by Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam), the Health Minister said currently the intake into health services under the Health Ministry was subject to applications made by registered medical officers with the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) and the Public Services Commission (SPA).
"Graduates who have completed their training may be offered a permanent appointment through recruitment by the Public Services Commission.
"Graduates will be appointed after being registered with the MMC and the Public Services Commission," she said.
Dr Wee had asked the ministry to state the stance taken by the Health Ministry regarding an internal issue and complaints made by its health care officers regarding the main reason for the issue of brain drain to the extent that Universiti Malaya (UM) loses at least 30 of its best and brightest graduates to Singapore each year.
Dr Wee also wanted to know the actions taken by the ministry to address the lack of positions and training pathways in the country.
Dr Zaliha said the creation of the position was dependent on the need for the post, and services as well as the government's financial capabilities.
She added that the Health Ministry also offers a fully paid study leave with Federal Training Prize (HLP) for those who want to pursue their studies at the Master's level in medicine or dentistry to all medical officers under the ministry at eight public higher education institutions through specialist training via a parallel pathway.
"For those who wish to pursue their further studies, they can check on the course programme advertisements via the ministry's site at eHLP.moh.gov.my," she said.
For paramedic and auxiliary health workers who are in Grades 29 to 40, the ministry also offers fully paid study leave for advanced courses, for a period of between six and 12 months at the ministry's health training institute.
Medical officers who manage to complete their courses with advanced diplomas can be given an incentive at the rate of RM100 a month subject to the approved field taken and the payment, she said.
