THIS week, hundreds of contract doctors in several major hospitals walked off from their jobs. They are demanding a fairer career path and to be offered the same benefits, equal rights, and equal pay as the permanent medical officers.
These new medical school graduates who work without permanent positions play a key role in the fight against the country’s COVID-19 situation that has been worsening of late.
These doctors were warned and pressured by some of their superiors not to proceed with the strike. They were also told to be issued a warning letter if they proceeded. This is the current situation of the doctors who work day and night for public well-being.
Despite all these pressures, these young doctors did not leave the patients without supervision and care. With the patients’ health still in mind, they ended up making a peaceful and professional strike that shows their maturity beyond their age and experience.
The root for this problem was due to the Health Ministry (MOH) not having the budget to pay to them what they deserve, which puts that country to shame.
With that, I urge the Government to increase the MOH budget to avoid any inconvenience in the future. You don’t have to be a doctor to be in solidarity with ‘Hartal Doktor Kontrak‘, but it will help them get a solution.
I hope the public will support the young doctors of today. They have been there for us and our loved ones, even in this severe COVID-19 crisis. – July 29, 2021
Papparaidu Veraman is the chairman of Malaysian Indian Voice.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Photo credit: The Straits Times
