THERE is no point talking about improving the public healthcare system if you do not address the concerns raised by contract medical officers (MO), said Pandan MP Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
“If you want to look after public healthcare system, why not look into their grouses?” she asked, after Prime Minister Tan Sri Mahiaddin Yassin finished his briefing at the Dewan Rakyat today.
Earlier today, contract MO at various Government hospitals staged mass walkouts in a nationwide strike to demand job security and better career opportunities.
Hundreds staged the protest despite threats by Health Ministry (MOH) officers to take disciplinary action against those who participated in the Hartal Doktor Kontrak (HDK).
Most of them wore black attire, carrying placards and posters while leaving in unison at 11am.
Recently, Mahiaddin announced a slew of benefits for contract MOs, which includes fully paid study leave but the Government did not address their main concern, which is getting permanent positions for all Government contract doctors.
They were, instead, offered to extend their contract to a maximum of four years.
On that note, Wan Azizah urged the Government to sympathise the contract MOs plight, adding the authorities should talk to them instead of issuing threats.
“If you don’t look after them, no healthcare plan will be realistic,” the former deputy prime minister stressed.
Echoing Wan Azizah’s sentiments, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that the Government should be addressing their concerns instead of penalising them for voicing out.
“If our doctors are protesting, it means something is seriously wrong and they have given up. I have heard that they work long hours, having little time to even eat or pray.
“Please don’t take things lightly. There are about 20,000 of them out there,” the Port Dickson MP remarked. – July 27, 2021.
