KUCHING: The Ministry of Health (MOH) is closely monitoring the situation should there be government doctors in Sarawak who might join their counterparts in West Malaysia to go on a three-day strike from April 3 to 5 as a protest against the unfair system and low wages.
Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni said he cannot totally confirm that there will be such a situation or otherwise, as it is a subjective event.
“As of now, we see that there is no application of emergency or sick leaves from the doctors at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) or other hospitals at other locations.
“But we look into the matter from time to time,” he said in a press conference after making an official work visit to SGH today (April 1).
He added that, thus far, he had only received information about the proposal on the strike through social media platforms.
“I would like to emphasise that the MOH, especially its minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa, is actively conducting regular discussions with the Public Service Department (JPA).
“And we have held public meetings and dialogues together with those involved in the health sectors.
“Among the things proposed is to increase specialists, and so far the government has approved adding about 800 specialists to the MOH annually,” he said.
He also said, among others, that the MOH also proposed that contract doctors be appointed and given permanent positions through the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contribution scheme.
“However, we are tied by the Pension Act 1980, so this matter needs to be reviewed, including whether amendments need to be made. So far, it is still in the discussion stage and has not been finalised.
“But, this is a good development in our efforts to create permanent positions for public health staff under MOH,” he added.
He also mentioned the MOH will table a white paper that aims to strengthen the country’s health system during the May 22 Parliament session.
Earlier, on the Mogok Doktor Malaysia Instagram page, the group claimed more than 8,000 contract doctors would be striking to protest unfair systems and low wages.
The same Instagram page also said they did not encourage demonstrations or flash mobs but said the contract doctors would take emergency or medical leave.
It also said doctors who want to resign could do so en masse on April 1.
