KUCHING: Outgoing Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira, whose term ends on Saturday (Sept 13), has called for stronger job security and clearer career pathways to retain doctors in public service.
He said uncertainty over permanent postings, limited training opportunities and lack of recognition had discouraged young Malaysians from pursuing medicine, while senior specialists were moving to private practice.
An elected member of the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), he warned that the number of medical graduates had fallen to fewer than 3,000 a year, compared with 5,000 to 6,000 previously.
“When there is no job security or career growth, doctors see little reason to stay. We must make the profession attractive again.
“When intake is low, the burden falls on existing doctors. Patients cannot be postponed, so remaining doctors end up doing double or triple the work,” he told Sarawak Tribune.
Dr Kalwinder, who is the head of medicine at Sarawak General Hospital, called for the contract system to be abolished, saying doctors should begin their careers on permanent terms to ensure stability and career progression.
Transfers also discouraged postings to Sabah and Sarawak, as doctors converted from contract to permanent positions were required to cover their own relocation costs.
“The contract system creates insecurity and unfairness. Doctors need permanent posts from the beginning, with proper career pathways and stability.
“Even when they are made permanent, they must pay for moving cars and belongings themselves. This discourages postings to East Malaysia.”
On retaining senior specialists, Dr Kalwinder urged the government to create higher-grade posts and offer better incentives to keep them in public service.
He also pressed for more open access to specialist training, saying restrictive quotas were slowing down the development of expertise in critical areas.
“They have a choice to go private anytime. We need them sometimes more than they need us. So we have to keep them in the system and incentivise them.”
Turning to allowances, he repeated his call for an immediate revision of on-call rates, unchanged for the past 12 years.
He explained that medical officers currently received the equivalent of RM9.16 per hour for active on-call duties, which he described as unreasonably low.
“The government promised this in the last budget. It should not be pushed to next year. It is time to implement.
“At least RM20 to RM25 per hour is fair. Doctors sacrifice nights, weekends and public holidays, and deserve proper recognition.”
Dr Kalwinder also stressed the importance of general practitioners (GPs), who play a critical role in primary care nationwide.
He noted that more than 11,000 GPs nationwide treat more patients in their clinics than government health clinics.
As such, he stressed that GP consultation fees, which had remained unchanged for 34 years, must be reviewed urgently.
“Their importance to the national primary care system should not be underestimated. The sustainability of GP care is therefore vital for primary healthcare in Malaysia.
“This matter has been brought up to the highest levels of government and is still awaiting a decision.
“These fees should be reviewed every five years, not left unchanged as at present.”
Concluding his term, Dr Kalwinder said many issues had been raised with the government, some of which were being addressed, but others remained unresolved.
He pointed to junior doctors, contract positions and stagnant GP fees as areas needing urgent action, expressing hope that reforms would be included in the next budget.
