logo
Decision on medical officers' on-call allowance hike likely by June, says health minister

Decision on medical officers' on-call allowance hike likely by June, says health minister

Malay Mail26-04-2025

KOTA BARU, April 26 — The issue regarding the increase in on-call duty allowance (Etap) for medical officers is expected to be finalised by June at the latest, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He said a committee chaired by Tan Sri Dr Abu Bakar Sulaiman, who is a former health director-general, is currently in the final stages of negotiations before the decision is finalised.
'The committee is actively discussing and is currently in the final phase of negotiation. We hope a decision can be reached soon.
'I understand the workload of health workers who work around the clock, and hope that all processes can be completed by June at the latest,' he told a press conference after opening the state-level 2025 Madani Afiat Programme in Tunjong, here, today.
Dzulkefly said this when asked to comment on the latest developments regarding the on-call allowance for health workers.
He said the welfare of health workers has always been a priority for him since helming the ministry.
'Waiting is torture. I hope this matter can be concluded in May because I know they are working very hard. We have reached the end of the discussion. God willing, this time we will resolve the matter,' he said.
It was previously reported that the Health Ministry had received approval to increase Etap for health workers.
Etap is compensation for the additional responsibilities carried out by medical officers in treating patients while on-call at hospitals after normal working hours. — Bernama

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Your vaccine from 2021 is not enough: Expert says Covid-19's threat remains
Your vaccine from 2021 is not enough: Expert says Covid-19's threat remains

The Star

time11 hours ago

  • The Star

Your vaccine from 2021 is not enough: Expert says Covid-19's threat remains

KUALA LUMPUR: The public, particularly high-risk groups, are recommended to get the latest Covid-19 vaccine, which has been adapted to current variants, to ensure more effective protection. Family medicine specialist and Medical Mythbusters Malaysia vice-president Dr Megat Mohamad Amirul Amzar Megat Hashim said that, although many Malaysians have been vaccinated, earlier doses may no longer offer adequate protection against the latest circulating variant. "Therefore, it is important to get vaccinations that are tailored to the current variant. The Health Ministry also continues to recommend that high-risk individuals keep their vaccination status up to date, particularly those who are planning to travel, attend large gatherings, or live with elderly people or individuals with weakened immune systems,' he said in a statement on Wednesday (June 11). According to the Health Ministry, over 11,000 Covid-19 cases have been reported since January, serving as a clear reminder that the public should not become complacent, even though the figure remains below the official alert threshold. Commenting further, Dr Megat said that individuals who have been vaccinated are more likely to recover faster, avoid hospitalisation, and reduce the risk of developing post-Covid-19 complications, including 'long Covid'. He also emphasised the importance of early screening, urging those who feel unwell, or experience symptoms such as sore throat, fatigue, fever, body aches, or stomach upset, which could be early indicators of Covid-19 infection, to get tested promptly. "If someone feels unwell and belongs to a high-risk group, getting tested is not only about protecting oneself, but also about safeguarding family members and the wider community,' he said. "We now have access to treatments that can prevent complications, but their effectiveness depends on early intervention. Dr Megat explained that timely testing and vaccination not only benefit individuals, but also help curb the spread of the virus within families and communities, as most severe cases often begin with mild symptoms that may go unnoticed. "This responsibility is no longer just personal, it is directly tied to our collective duty to protect our loved ones,' he said. "By getting tested early and staying up to date with vaccinations, we also help ease the burden on the national healthcare system, and shield those who are most vulnerable. He also encouraged the public to use the MySejahtera application to check their eligibility for booster doses, and to conveniently book vaccination appointments. For more information on Covid-19 symptoms, vaccinations, or to locate the nearest testing centre, the public is advised to refer to the MySejahtera app, or consult a healthcare professional.- Bernama

Sabah woman sues KJ, govt over wrongful Covid-19 enforcement
Sabah woman sues KJ, govt over wrongful Covid-19 enforcement

The Star

time11 hours ago

  • The Star

Sabah woman sues KJ, govt over wrongful Covid-19 enforcement

KOTA KINABALU: A businesswoman from Ranau has filed a civil suit against the government and Khairy Jamaluddin, alleging she was wrongfully penalised for being unvaccinated during the Covid-19 pandemic. Naomi @ Neomi Francis filed the suit at the Sessions Court in Kota Kinabalu on Wednesday (June 11). This is believed to be the first known civil suit in Sabah relating to Covid-19 enforcement, raising questions over administrative overreach and alleged infringement of personal rights. The 59-year-old named the Ranau District Council, the Health Ministry and Khairy in his former capacity as health minister, a post he held from August 2021 to November 2022, as defendants in the suit. Francis, who operates a stall at the Ranau Central Market, claims she suffered financial losses, reputational harm and psychological trauma after being issued a compound notice on Dec 20, 2021. She said the compound notice was issued on grounds that she had continued to operate her business without receiving a Covid-19 vaccination. In her statement of claim, Francis said she felt compelled to receive the vaccine simply to keep her business afloat. 'I was pressured to obtain vaccination solely for the purpose of continuing my business operations,' she said, adding that the ordeal caused her 'significant mental exhaustion, emotional distress and trauma'. The compound notice was later cancelled by the Health Ministry on Feb 17, 2023. In an official letter, the ministry's chief enforcement officer acknowledged a technical error in the enforcement action and returned the case to the Sabah State Health Department for review. The Ranau District Council subsequently retracted the compound notice in a letter dated March 8, 2023. However, Francis said the damage had already been done. Her stall remained closed from Sept 2021 until March 2023. 'During this time, I lost income, loyal customers, and the public's trust in my business,' she said in the court filing. She is now seeking specific damages for 18 months of lost earnings, along with general and exemplary damages, interest, and legal costs. Francis is represented by Messrs Priskila Akwila Advocates. The court has fixed the hearing for July 14, 2025. Khairy is now a media personality and co-host of the Keluar Sekejap podcast.

Minister urges exemption of rural doctor allowance freeze in Sabah, Sarawak
Minister urges exemption of rural doctor allowance freeze in Sabah, Sarawak

Daily Express

time14 hours ago

  • Daily Express

Minister urges exemption of rural doctor allowance freeze in Sabah, Sarawak

Published on: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 11, 2025 By: Nora Ahmad Text Size: James visits one of the booths at the colloquium . KOTA KINABALU: Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib has proposed that rural doctor allowances in Sabah and Sarawak be exempted from the current federal freeze. He said the proposal would be brought up with Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad during a scheduled meeting on Thursday. Advertisement James warned that the freeze could discourage contract doctors from renewing their service in remote areas, worsening the rural doctor shortage in Sabah. Speaking at the 17th Public Health Colloquium on Wednesday, he also highlighted ongoing basic facility issues in rural Sabah, including poor internet access, water supply, and electricity. He further urged the Health Ministry to strengthen regulations on e-cigarettes, noting concerns over the use of banned substances in some products. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store