Govt committed to retaining doctors amid S'pore recruitment drive
PETALING JAYA : The health ministry remains committed to retaining doctors and healthcare workers in Malaysia although it has no legal power to stop them from working abroad, its minister, Dzulkefly Ahmad said.
He said the ministry is taking steps to encourage doctors to remain in the system, including accelerating the appointment of contract doctors to permanent positions in light of the country's critical need for medical professionals.
'We are not delaying (appointments). Once vacancies arise, we will move to fill them with existing contract staff,' he said in response to reports that Singapore is actively recruiting Malaysian doctors with attractive salary packages.
'We cannot stop cross-border recruitment; it is an individual's right. This is also in line with the Asean Mutual Recognition Arrangement and the Asean Framework Agreement on Services, which allow labour mobility.
'However, we want our doctors, specialists, and nurses with advanced training to stay with us.'
Dzulkefly said the contract system was introduced in response to an oversupply of medical graduates and limited permanent positions over the past decade.
However, he said, this is no longer the case as the number of medical graduates has decreased significantly, and the ministry now has more room for permanent appointments.
Separately, Dzulkefly said his ministry remains committed to improving the working environment in the local healthcare sector to prevent talent from leaving the country.
He added that stricter internal guidelines and ongoing investigations are being enforced to address burnout and workplace harassment, while fostering a more supportive and sustainable work culture.
A recruitment session by Singapore's health ministry is reportedly scheduled to be held at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur next month.
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