Doctors deserve better |
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In a special announcement broadcast on major television channels and social media platforms on July 23, 2025, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim revealed plans to quickly fill 4,352 healthcare positions, including contract appointments for doctors.
This significant move highlights the pressing need to address staff shortages in Malaysia ' s healthcare system.
Responding to growing public concerns about unfilled doctor positions, the Prime Minister emphasised the government’ s commitment to improving services and addressing the pressing staffing needs within the sector.
While this decision is a positive step, it raises concerns about the current ePlacement system, which has faced technical issues and inefficiencies.
The Health Ministry ' s( MoH) recent reforms aim to replace the first-come, first-served method with a fairer, merit-based approach.
This new system requires candidates to select three facilities for placements, with an algorithm determining the final placement based on various factors, including personal information, specialist training, family background, and health.
However, these reforms must be implemented carefully and swiftly to prevent further complications.
The ePlacement system has a troubled history. The disruptions in February, which led to the cancellation of placements for 2,245 medical officers, illustrate that the system is not only technically flawed but also poorly managed.
Reports of unusual access and technical failures indicate that it was not prepared for the high demand. For healthcare workers to have confidence in this system, it must be reliable and secure.
Adding to the complexity, Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad recently revealed that almost 15,000 patients are waiting for elective surgeries in public hospitals, with some facing delays of over a year.
This backlog, coupled with the shortage of doctors, puts immense pressure on the existing healthcare workforce.
Additionally, the issue of vacancies, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, cannot be overlooked. With more than half of the vacancies in these regions, the MoH must ensure placements are fair and meet local healthcare needs.
The proposal to explore placements without filling all quotas raises important questions about fairness and effectiveness.
Dr Dzulkefly has promised to address healthcare workers ' welfare issues, but ongoing delays and problems with the ePlacement system reflect a lack of clarity and communication.
Medical professionals deserve clear information about their career paths, and the government should provide regular updates to alleviate uncertainty.
While the government ' s commitment to filling urgent healthcare positions is a necessary step, it must go hand-in-hand with a thorough and transparent reform of the ePlacement system.
Involving healthcare stakeholders in this process is crucial to ensure that the solutions are effective and sustainable.
Now is the time for decisive action; the health of our nation relies on it.
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