Malaysian Medics International (MMI) claimed that inequalities in remuneration, benefits, job security and access to career opportunities had led to doctors leaving the public service.
“This has left nationwide rota gaps that the remaining doctors are struggling to fill,” it said in a memorandum.
“Left unchecked, increases in service pressures secondary to this exodus will exact a severe well-being toll on the doctors that remain in public service.”
The group made a number of recommendations to help resolve the situation, which it describes as “dire”.
It called for the health ministry and public service department (JPA) to urgently expedite the promotion of contract doctors to UD47 grade as soon as they complete the requisite period of service.
Besides that, it proposed a full standardisation of leave available for contract and permanent doctors, including paid and unpaid leave, critical illness leave, educational leave, as well as childcare leave.
The group also asked the health ministry and the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) to prepare comprehensive, clear guidelines on acceptable conduct in healthcare workplaces.
It also suggested the implementation of anonymised 360-degree reviews where feedback on an individual doctor’s performance and professional conduct is sought from all members of the healthcare workforce, including allied health colleagues.
The memorandum is supported by the MAHSA Medical Society, University of Malaya Medical Society, Monash University Medicos Society Clinical School Johor Bahru, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman Medical and Health Sciences Society, and the Mind Matters Network.
In July, JPA announced that doctors, dentists and pharmacists on government scholarships will be freed of their bonds to serve the government. However, they would have the option to continue in service.
Two opposition MPs then expressed concern over this move, saying that it could result in an exodus from the national health service.
Former health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said “foreign vultures waiting to steal our talent” might be the biggest beneficiaries of the JPA’s decision to end the bond period.
He and his former deputy, Dr Lee Boon Chye, spoke of a possible exodus of contract doctors, with Dzulkefly saying the contract officers might decide to serve in the private sector, depriving the health service of progress.