THE Academy of Medicine of Malaysia (AMM) joins other health and medical organisations in supporting the Malaysian Medical Association’s (MMA) Code Black campaign.
We echo their call for clear post-graduate pathways to specialisation for contract doctors, detailed and transparent criteria for permanent posts, equal and fair treatment for contract and permanent staff, and job security for all doctors and allied health workers.
We reiterate our statement dated October 21, 2020 and July 17, 2020 urging similar improvements by providing junior doctors with job security, career progression opportunities and ultimately, securing the future of Malaysia’s healthcare capacity.
It is disappointing that after five years in the contract system and 18 months in a pandemic, there is still no long-term solution for our junior healthcare professionals.
We strongly urge the Government of the day to stay focused on supporting our increasingly overburdened healthcare system during this pandemic by enacting solutions that will benefit both our junior healthcare professionals and the system as a whole, in the long run.
We propose the following:
- Make the criteria for awarding permanent posts clear and transparent: There is currently uncertainty around the future of medical officers (MO) at the end of their contracts. There must be clear, detailed eligibility criteria and indicators for MOs to be offered permanent positions.
Transparent eligibility guidelines will ensure that junior healthcare professionals who meet a benchmark performance level are adequately rewarded.
- Revise contract stipulations to match permanent posts: We acknowledge that permanent posts for all doctors may not be a sustainable solution for the long term.
Junior doctors must be awarded longer contract durations with the same pay structure and benefits as a permanent position. Contract terms which adequately match their experience level will provide doctors on contract with assurance, security, and appropriate recognition for their service.
The current contract system places qualified MOs on a lower pay grade relative to doctors with similar experience in permanent posts. Contract doctors also have fewer benefits such as limited leave allowance, including for study, and exclusion from applying for postgraduate training scholarships.
The terms of their contracts must be revised to create better incentives for junior doctors to continue in the public healthcare system. Contract doctors must be provided the same opportunity for post-graduate and specialist scholarships (Hadiah Latihan Persekutuan) with paid study leave (Cuti Belajar Bergaji Penuh).
- Extend contract durations and allow pursuit of post-graduate or specialisation training: One of the major weaknesses of the current contract system is that it does not allow contract doctors to pursue post-graduate or specialist training. This is problematic as Malaysia is already facing an acute shortage of specialists (as mentioned in our earlier statement dated Oct 21, 2020).
There should be an automatic 10-year contract awarded to graduates to complete their compulsory training and consequently begin postgraduate and specialisation pathways.
This longer contract duration will allow junior doctors to better plan for their careers and futures as well as incentivise MOs to complete their specialist training within the stipulated duration.
- Decentralise specialty training to create more opportunities: Decentralising specialty training by allowing smaller hospitals and training centres to be part of a recognised training programme will create more opportunities for junior doctors to specialise.
The ‘train where you are’ method also reduces work-life disruption – ie trainees do not have to re-locate or travel far for their training – and reduces inequality.
The AMM College of Surgeons has successfully deployed the e-training management platform which allows trainers to monitor and log their trainees’ progress online (refer to our statement dated Aug 23, 2020).
The AMM is prepared to work closely with the Health Ministry (MOH) and other stakeholders in introducing this system for other programmes and training hospitals across the country.
The current state of the pandemic in Malaysia shows that we need all hands on deck. All healthcare professionals at all levels have been essential in keeping our health system afloat.
The Government must provide the next generation of healthcare professionals with adequate compensation, security, and recognition for their sacrifices. We owe them a sustainable solution, now.
The Academy of Medicine of Malaysia which embraces 11 colleges and 15 chapters is a registered body representing medical specialists in Malaysia.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
