Deputy minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni said a rotation system is being considered to reduce excessive stress and protect the mental health of medical staff, Bernama reported.
“For example, if a doctor is stationed in Miri and assigned to Long Semado or Long Bemang in Baram, we will not keep them in that location for an extended period.
“Instead, we will apply a rotation system,” he was quoted as saying during the question-and-answer session in Dewan Negara today.
Lukanisman’s comments were in response to senator Hatta Ramli’s supplementary question regarding the shortage of doctors in rural regions and specific states.
He acknowledged that many doctors prefer serving in certain areas due to the experience that they would gain, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, which could be an advantage when they return to Peninsular Malaysia.
The deputy minister also revealed that the ministry created 16,347 new positions in the healthcare sector this year, including 1,500 additional posts for medical officers annually, to address the shortage.
In response to senator Dr RA Lingeshwaran’s query about forming a committee to address staff resignations, Lukanisman said the ministry is considering it, but resignations are often influenced by personal choices.
He cited instances where contract officers, offered permanent positions in East Coast states and Sabah and Sarawak, opted to stay in Peninsular Malaysia instead.
“Nonetheless, we are working to ensure continuous staffing,” he added.
Lukanisman said that the doctor shortage in hospitals and clinics would persist unless tackled promptly, adding that discussions would continue to better prepare medical graduates for mandatory postings.
As of Sept 30, the health ministry’s staffing data showed a total of 299,672 healthcare personnel including 266,898 permanent staff and 32,774 on contract.
Among them, 7,720 are medical specialists, 44,030 are medical officers, 7,626 are dental officers, 12,775 are pharmacists, 70,075 are nurses, and 9,798 are assistant medical officers.
The remainder includes staff from other service schemes.