WBB shift system: “3pm to 3am shift system for doctors does not align with reality”

doctors

WHILE the Health Ministry’s new Waktu Berkerja Berlainan (WBB) shift system aims to improve wellbeing and patient safety, the realities faced by medical officers (MOs) highlight significant gaps that require urgent attention.

According to MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon policies must be designed with input from frontline medical officers as their insights are key to developing reforms that are practical, effective, and tailored to the realities of their work environment.

He said the pilot system must adopt a more flexible structure, starting with addressing the core issue of allocating additional manpower.

That said, implementing staggered schedules and ensuring proper handovers to maintain continuity of care, particularly in district hospitals with staffing shortages, is a necessary step.

Frustration from MOs and netizens on social media highlights the need for fair compensation for night shifts to acknowledge the added stress and disruption they cause,” Dr Mah stated.

“This should be paired with adequate rest periods and mental health support to prevent burnout and mitigate late-night rumination.

“Equating work hours at 3pm and 3am disregards the human biological clock and societal norms. Night shifts disrupt circadian rhythms, leading to greater physical and mental exhaustion than daytime shifts.”

Under the new WBB system, night shifts on weekdays after 5pm are counted as part of the 45-hour workweek, making MOs ineligible for on-call allowances during these hours.

“This policy devalues the added burden of night work and creates financial strain, particularly for junior doctors who rely on such allowances. Only weekend and public holiday shifts are considered “on-call”, a system that unfairly ignores the sacrifices of weekday night workers,” Dr Mah continued.

“Without immediate adjustments, the WBB system risks becoming another well-intentioned but poorly executed reform, failing to achieve its goals of improving patient safety and supporting healthcare workers.”

Yesterday (Jan 15) the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) had similarly expressed its concern over the new system, warning that its implementation risks further burdening an already overstretched public healthcare system.

Its president Datuk Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira further noted that there is also not enough manpower on the ground to be in a position to reduce work hours.

He said before the idea of reducing any work hours can be considered, the manpower issues, particularly healthcare work maldistribution and shortages) that has persisted nationwide must first be resolved.

Dr Kalwinder also pointed out that over 70% of the population rely on public healthcare services, and any reduction in work hours without addressing manpower shortages will impact inpatient care and the running of clinics and other services in the hospital. – Jan 16, 2025

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