There is no such thing as too many doctors and a shortage of funds, says Prof Datuk Dr N.K.S. Tharmaseelan.
The former Malaysian Medical Association president added that the government should do the right thing by absorbing all contract doctors.
“Not doing so could be a case of penny wise and pound foolish,” said Dr Tharmaseelan.
His comments came as the “Hartal Doktor Kontrak” planned to stage another protest next month, and had even threatened to quit, if the 20,000-odd contract doctors were not given full-time employment.
“We have the highest number of sub-specialists anywhere in the world, and that’s because we saw doctors graduating from a system that required them to do two years of housemanship and another three years of compulsory service before they are given permanent jobs,” said Dr Tharmaseelan.
“Now, after the two years’ housemanship, the government offers contracts. If the doctors leave, they only have two years of experience under their belts.
“We will end up with many medical foot soldiers, instead of specialists and leaders.”
As contract doctors were unable to specialise, that would result in a serious shortage of specialists.
“We are already seeing a shortage in the number of specialists … this will be more evident in the years to come, which could result in the collapse of the country’s healthcare system.”
“Some argue about not having enough funds. I don’t think there’s a shortage of funds. It’s more of getting the right allocation for the right sectors … the government should be investing in doctors and healthcare.”
He also added there was no transparency in the renewal of contracts.
“So, what you get is those who actually deserve full-time jobs, not getting the jobs.”
He added there was a “maldistribution” of doctors and that the system was bogged down by “red tape”.
“I truly hope the government will address this once and for all.”
Here are Twentytwo13’s news highlights today.
U.S. SECRETARY OF COMMERCE TO MEET PM, AZMIN
International Trade and Industry Senior Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali will receive the United States’ Secretary of Commerce, Gina M. Raimondo on Nov 18.
This marks the inaugural visit by a high-ranking US official to Malaysia under the Joe Biden administration. Raimondo and Azmin were expected to deliberate on post-pandemic economic recovery and measures towards advancing trade and investment cooperation between the two nations.
Both would co-chair a roundtable session with representatives of the semiconductor industry operating in Malaysia that were part of the US’ supply chain.
The roundtable session would also discuss strategic efforts to boost US-Malaysia collaboration in keeping the semiconductor supply chain robust for both countries.
Raimondo was also scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to exchange views on bilateral relations, as well as issues of mutual interest.
In 2020, the US was Malaysia’s third largest trading partner, with RM178.2 billion worth of bilateral trade recorded, an increase of 7.8 per cent, compared with 2019.
MALAYSIA READY TO BECOME HEPATITIS C TREATMENT HUB
Malaysia is the first country in the region that has been given conditional approval to offer a combination treatment of ravidasvir and sofosbuvir, en route to it becoming a Hepatitis C treatment hub.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said this was a new product for medical tourism.
“As it is a medium-term treatment of around three months, we expect a multiplier effect on the economy,” Khairy said.
The ministry would identify hospitals that would carry out the initiative. The medical tourism sector had great potential to boost the economy. Pre-Covid-19 days, it generated an average RM1.7 billion annually.
IGP: SECURITY, TRAFFIC ESCORTS FOR FORMER PM PROVIDED FOR IN ACT
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani says security and traffic escorts for former prime ministers are in accordance with Members of Parliament (Remuneration) Act 1980.
“As for any ex-PM facing legal action, such services will be provided until the appeal is finalised by the courts,” Acryl said in a statement.
Certain quarters had questioned police escorts for ex-prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak as he had been sentenced by the Kuala Lumpur High Court last year to 12 years’ jail and a fine of RM210 million over the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) saga.
Najib, however, is appealing against the sentence.
GRAB APP DOWN, LEAVING RIDERS, DRIVERS AND CUSTOMERS IN THE LURCH
Grab riders and drivers were unable to work, while customers were not able to secure transportation or purchase food after the company’s mobile application “failed to work as expected”.
Grab, in a tweet earlier today, said it was “currently experiencing a service disruption” and that its team was looking into it and would update those affected on when the application would be back up.
Drivers and riders lamented over the loss of income, while some users said they were unable to book a ride to work.
