PETALING JAYA: Doctors have called for a comprehensive plan, backed by strong political will, to address the perennial issue of doctors leaving the civil service.
They argue that this plan is essential to retaining doctors in a health sector that is understaffed, underpaid and overworked.
Their comments come in response to a written answer from the Health Ministry in the Dewan Negara on Dec 19, revealing that an average of three doctors have quit government service daily over the past five years.
Malaysian Medical Association president Datuk Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira emphasised the need for doctors to feel that their careers are valued and supported within the civil service.
“Opportunities for professional growth, meaningful contributions and progression to senior roles can serve as compelling incentives to remain in the system.
“Beyond better remuneration and improved working conditions, we need to also address other critical factors such as job security, clear career pathways, inclusivity, transparency and work-life balance,” he said.
Hartal Doktor Kontrak spokesman Dr Muhammad Yassin pointed out that doctors join the civil service to obtain a full practising licence and job security.
He said many junior doctors also view the civil service as a training ground before moving to the private sector.
Those who stay on, he said, often do so out of a sense of duty to teach their juniors through the Health Ministry or by joining public universities as academic staff.
Dr Muhammad emphasised that the high turnover rate could be mitigated with better government policies.
“Doctors should be allowed easier transfers after serving in districts for a certain period.
“They should also receive better allowances, such as on-call allowances, given the understaffed and underpaid nature of the service.
“Hiring more staff to alleviate workloads, reducing bureaucracy and ensuring transparent grievance channels are also essential,” he said.
For Dr Umar Mohd Ramzan, a general practitioner at Klinik Kesihatan Setapak, the decision to remain in the civil service stems from his commitment to the Hippocratic Oath.
“I have been working for five-and-a-half years since starting in 2019. I believe healthcare is a universal right. It should be accessible, affordable and equitable.
“Being a doctor in the civil service allows me to practise what I preach by providing service to patients of all backgrounds and especially to those who need it the most,” he said.
But the reality, Dr Umar said, is that the welfare of healthcare workers needs urgent attention.
“As former health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said in 2019, we are underfunded, understaffed, underpaid, overworked and overstretched while facilities are overcrowded with patients.
“Five years on, has anything changed or improved? I think the answer is quite clear,” said Dr Umar.
According to the Health Ministry’s reply to Senator Dr RA Lingeshwaran, 6,417 permanent and contractual medical officers resigned between 2019 and 2023, with 1,046 specialists leaving government service during the same period.
The reasons cited for their departures included better opportunities in the private sector, early retirement, health issues, personal reasons, career shifts and a lack of professional support.
The ministry’s response also revealed that it currently employs 298,853 people, including 44,155 medical officers and 7,638 specialists.
Selangor leads with 6,274 medical officers and 1,446 specialists, followed by Johor (3,839 and 705), Sabah (3,362 and 534) and Perak (3,309 and 609).
