The Malaysian Insight

DOCTORS have warned they would go on strike if Putrajaya does not resolve the issue of contract medical officers (MOs) not being offered permanent positions in the civil service within the next three weeks.

A group of doctors calling themselves the “HartalDoktorKontrak” issued this warning through a memorandum to various government agencies yesterday.

Among them were the Public Services Commission, Public Services Department, the Health Ministry and the Malaysian Medical Council.

Group spokesman Dr Mustapha Kamal said the government has had enough time over the last five years to resolve the problem.

“We give them three weeks to settle this problem. Failing which, we will launch a one-day strike where we will not work as a show of solidarity (with contract MOs),” Mustapha said.

“We are putting our foot down to say enough is enough.”

The strike is expected to take place on July 26 and the government has been given a three-week window to come up with a solution.

Mustapha said it is high time for the government to come up with long-term and short-term plans for contract MOs.

Health Ministry data revealed a total of 23,077 UD41 contract medical officers were picked to undergo graduate training and compulsory service between December 2016 and May 31, 2021.

However, only 789 of them were offered permanent positions, leaving many in limbo while many others have applied for jobs overseas.

Mustapha said patient care would not be jeopardised as the group will make the relevant arrangements with their colleagues to ensure they are covered.

“The strike is our last resort, that is why we are giving them these three weeks,” he said, referring to the nationwide strike.

He said they would also try their best not to mobilise MOs at Covid-19 hospitals unless they can make the necessary arrangements.

“The goal of the strike is to get what we want but, at the same time, we do not want to jeopardise patients’ health. That is the last thing we want to do,” he said.

Mustapha was speaking along with a group of doctors under the Health Ministry and those who have departed for private practice.

Those who were still working with the Health Ministry had donned PPE and masks to conceal their identities.

He said the initial plan was to have the strike for one day but this could be extended depending on the government’s response.

Mustapha said that the majority of MOs are on the group’s side, without providing any numbers.

“It is not about money, it is not about fame, it is about the nation’s healthcare,” he said.

“Waiting time now at the emergency department is six hours and it could go more,” he said.

“You can see patients stranded in green zones for almost eight to 10 hours. Imagine that and having all these doctors leave the public sector for the private sector. What would happen to our healthcare system later on?” he added.

The group is demanding the government offer all contract MOs permanent positions and a detailed explanation on the criteria considered for the appointment.

The group also noted that the three changes of government since the last general election have also led to the issue being taken back to the drawing board over and over again with a lack of resolution in sight.

Health Minister Dr Adham Baba has said that the issue would be discussed in the cabinet meeting.

Meanwhile, another medical group has also launched a campaign to voice their dissatisfaction over the system.

The Malaysian Medical Association’s Section Concerning House Officers, Medical Officers and Specialists’ (Schomos) “Code Black” campaign will run from July 1 to July 12, culminating in “Black Monday” on July 12.

The campaign will be social media-centric and doctors have been told to go to work as usual, but they must wear black on July 12.

They were also urged to hold a placard saying “We stand with contract healthcare workers” and post pictures on social media with the hashtags #saveMYcontractHCW, #CodeBlackMY and #BlackMondayMY only. – July 1, 2021.