KUCHING: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has pointed to financial strain as a major factor in the failure of many medical officers to report for duty in Sarawak.
As reported by FMT, MMA’s President, Dr R. Thirunavukarasu, said the current policy prohibiting relocation claims had made doctors reluctant to accept postings in the State, as moving costs could easily reach several thousand ringgits.
“Many doctors face significant personal and financial difficulties when relocating, including travel expenses, housing, and family separation. They need stronger support,” he said.
He added that the reduction of regional allowance payments under Sistem Saraan Perkhidmatan Awam for Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan by up to 60 per cent had also made such transfers less appealing, creating an income gap between doctors already serving in the region and those newly transferred there.
Dr Thirunavukarasu urged the government to reinstate relocation and travel claims to ease the financial burden on doctors assigned to Sarawak and Sabah.
He also pointed out that relocation to another state could disrupt doctors’ specialist training, as many who have completed their postgraduate entry exams are reassigned to unrelated departments in Sabah and Sarawak.
“The Health Ministry must ensure that those serving in Sarawak and Sabah are not disadvantaged in their career development, especially as Malaysia is facing a severe shortage of specialists,” he added.
“Moving far away from family and support networks is not easy. The personal sacrifices made by these doctors deserve greater understanding and support.”
On October 7, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is also the Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, revealed that nearly 300 medical officers offered positions in the State had failed to report for duty before October 1.
Out of 542 medical officer positions offered, 293 did not report, leaving around 1,100 vacancies in Sarawak.
