KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- The issue of health worker welfare was the focus of members of Parliament during the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) motion at Dewan Rakyat, today.
Dr Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen (PH-Bandar Kuching) proposed that the government abolish the contract system among doctors to address the issue of a shortage of health workers at Ministry of Health (MOH) facilities.
"For me, those who have served for more than three years and serve in rural or remote areas should be given priority to get permanent placement as soon as possible, while for those who have just entered the MOH system, we should immediately abolish this contract system," he said.
Yii also asked the government to expedite the increase in on-call allowances for doctors and nurses and provide special allocations and emoluments.
Dr Halimah Ali (PN-Kapar) is of the view that the country's health system needs systemic changes, especially in the transfer process, working hours and remuneration.
In addition, she proposed that the Ministry of Health hold discussions with the Ministry of Human Resources and the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development to ensure workers in the sector can achieve work-life balance.
Datuk Adnan Abu Hassan (BN-Kuala Pilah) also raised the issue of a worrying shortage of health workers, in addition to stressing that modern and well-equipped health facilities will not be fully utilised without sufficient manpower.
Therefore, he said that the deployment of the Ministry of Health's workforce should be made the main indicator in the implementation of health projects under the 13MP, especially in rural areas.
"Every new project, whether a hospital, clinic or health office, must be accompanied by realistic human resource projections including aspects of permanent and contract positions to ensure that the implementation of physical projects is in line with operational capabilities," he said.
The sitting resumes tomorrow.
-- BERNAMA
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