MOH Confirms Gazetting Of Deceased Medical Officer As Ent Specialist

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 17 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Health (MOH) has confirmed that a medical officer, who was reported to have died recently, was officially gazetted as an Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) Specialist Medical Officer on March 31, 2024.

In a statement today, the MOH announced that the officer had completed his Master's degree in Otorhinolaryngology (ORL) in November 2022 and underwent the initial gazetting period at Sarawak General Hospital from Jan 30 to July 29, 2023.

According to the MOH, based on the supervisor’s report, the officer required an extension to improve certain aspects of his clinical training.

"The extended gazetting period was carried out at Sultanah Fatimah Specialist Hospital, Muar, from Oct 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024.

"During this time, he showed significant improvement in performance and achieved the required level of professional competency," the statement read.

The MOH emphasised that the gazetting process was carried out professionally, free from external influence, and based solely on merit. The ministry will not tolerate any form of favouritism or personal interests in the assessment of officers.

"Gazetting is not just academic recognition, it is a comprehensive evaluation of an officer’s competence, integrity, and clinical capability to ensure patient safety and maintain the quality of public health services," the MOH said.

The ministry clarified that the gazetting of specialists is a standard procedure for all medical officers who complete specialist training under the MOH.

"It aligns with the General Orders, Chapter F (Article 27(a) and (b)), which ensures patient safety and upholds the highest professional standards in public medical practice," the ministry added.

The MOH also emphasised that only officers who are recommended will be officially gazetted through the Federal Government Gazette.

Recently, a post went viral on X, by a woman who claimed there was favouritism in the gazetting process for her husband's position as a medical officer with the MOH.

-- BERNAMA