AS contract medical officers (MO) were unable to launch a physical strike, they took to Twitter to take their cause to the masses.
Trending #CodeBlackMY on the social media platform, the movement gained much support from netizens who also called for the Health Ministry to address their grouses.
“First day of the campaign. To all junior doctors, a lot of us are with you. Keep fighting,” said user Khairul Hafidz.
Another user called MF stated: “Penindasan dan ketidakadilan harus dilawan!” (Always fight against oppression and injustice).
Recently, contract MOs have threatened to launch a strike as they were unhappy that over 23,000 of them have yet to get absorbed automatically as permanent staff, as was the practice in the past.
Many of them have been serving since December 2016, adding they were upset that the Government had only promised to extend their contracts until December next year.
On June 23, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said that the Government has never stopped taking medical graduates for training, even during the pandemic crisis.
Seniors backing their juniors
Former Health Minister Datuk Seri S Subramaniam urged contract MOs not to launch such a strike as the country was undergoing a pandemic crisis.
“While I understand their predicament but I feel launching a protest when the country is under Emergency rule due COVID-19 will be seen as an irresponsible act by many,” he told FocusM.
User Mohd Nazrul told netizens that the online strike was not only about getting better benefits for healthcare staff, adding there was more to it.
“At the end, we just complement one another. Let us strive for a more harmonious Malaysia,” he added.
User Eera noted: Support #CodeBlackMY. Together we fight.
Benda dah dilaksanakan 4 tahun lebih boleh pulak keluar kenyataan suruh bersabar, akan dibawa ke Kabinet.. Apoo?? 4 tahun ni apa yang dah dibincangkan.
(We have raised this matter for four years but they have the cheek to tell us to be patient until it is deliberated at the Cabinet. What were they discussing in the last four years?)
The junior staffers appear to receive support from their seniors too, as a veteran urged the Government not to treat contract MOs like slaves.
“Since I worked in a hospital for 20 years, I am supporting this cause #CodeBlackMY. Stop treating contract doctors like slaves,” said user Alawiyah Yussof.
User Pavitra Ramasamy stated on what contract MOs are enduring right now, saying: “I second this.
“Today, I found out my previous ward is in total lockdown because seven staffs and three patients are positive and still counting. I wish them all a speedy recovery.
“This is the reality. I am no hero. Just overworked, underpaid, contract junior doctors.”- July 1, 2021.
Photo credit: Bigstock
