Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Rashid Shirlin (second from right) is greeted by nurses at a visit to Hospital Kuala Lumpur, one of the largest governmental health care facilities in Malaysia. (DTI/Photo courtesy of HKL, Malaysia)
Aug 4, 2010 | ASIA PACIFIC

Malaysian gov’t admits to public health crisis

by Daniel Zimmermann, DTI

HONG KONG/LEIPZIG, Germany: The Malaysian government has released new figures that are underlining the crisis in the country’s public health and dental care sector. Speaking to senators at a parliamentary Question Time in August, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Rashid Shirlin said new records have shown that more than 350 medical officers have resigned from public service annually since 2005.

RELATED ARTICLES

Malaysians reject public dental services CE compulsory for all dentists in Malaysia

Malaysia faces a shortage of approximately 5,000 doctors and dentists, leaving patients—especially in rural areas—without access to affordable care.

Rosnah announced that her ministry will try to keep officers in public service through various initiatives, including the increase of medical, dentistry and pharmacy graduates enrolled in public service. She added that the government is also planning to provide more career development opportunities for public officers and improving their incentives and allowances. Earlier this year, the Government mulled to whether extending the compulsory public service for doctors to five or ten years from the current three.

Since 1971, all doctors in Malaysia are required to serve with the Government for five years.

 

back to overview Send to a friend Print this site