Dr RA Lingeshwaran noted that the “contracts for service” under which the officers are currently employed offer limited benefits and facilities, compared with JPA’s “contracts of service”, which he said were more thorough.

Lingeshwaran also highlighted a recent written reply from the health ministry in the Dewan Negara stating that the officers’ contracts are slated to end on Aug 2 and that the ministry is refining a proposed plan for their services which will be presented to the finance ministry and JPA.

He said the ministry should expedite this proposal paper.

It should provide a guarantee or an early explanation to the officers of their situation before their contracts expire so that they can plan their future properly, he said.

Lingeshwaran called on the ministry to either offer the officers proper contracts of service or fixed positions, saying the uncertainty of their employment since the scheme started in 2021 has caused them undue stress.

“These counselling officers do not merely serve as additional personnel but are a core pillar of the public health system.

“They play a critical role in providing emotional support, crisis intervention and counselling services not only to patients but also to health ministry personnel who frequently face high work pressures.

“Failing to maintain this specialist workforce will jeopardise the quality of the nation’s mental health services,” he said in a statement.