Better career prospects, work environment for doctors and nurses to stem brain drain

New Straits Times

3 days ago

KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry (MOH) has given its assurance and continued commitment to resolving public health issues, including the welfare of healthcare workers.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said it was intensifying reform efforts to stem the brain drain of healthcare professionals following reports of recent recruitment drives by Singapore-based talent agencies in local institutions and high-profile venues.
He said the government is aware of open interviews conducted in Malaysia by foreign recruiters targeting medical professionals, especially young talent graduating from local universities.
"Malaysia is internationally recognised as a source of world-class healthcare professionals.
"While this reflects the strength of our training ecosystem, it also poses an ongoing challenge in retaining these professionals within our national health system," he said in a statement.
Although the Health Ministry has no legal grounds to stop Malaysian healthcare professionals from seeking employment abroad, nor can it prevent licensed recruitment agencies from offering overseas placements, Dzulkefly said, the onus is on the government to ensure better retention.
He said the ministry's strategies are anchored on improving career prospects, upgrading work conditions, and introducing structural reforms, he said.
"Among the key initiatives are a 13 per cent salary hike under the new Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA) starting 2025, and amendments to the Medical Act 1971 to officially recognise alternative specialist pathways, including the Parallel Pathway programme.
"MOH has also enhanced the ePlacement system to provide more transparent job placements and mobility, while reducing dependency on the Contract of Service model."
In July, the ministry approved 2,248 permanent appointments for contract medical officers, the largest intake since the contract system's introduction, he said.
He said these steps are aimed at offering clearer and more structured career progression, including for contract officers.
"The ministry is also tackling non-monetary factors such as workplace burnout, bullying, and toxic work environments.
"There is a serious focus on creating fair, safe and supportive working conditions.
"This includes stricter internal guidelines, investigations into misconduct, and direct engagement with healthcare facility leaders," he said.
He said MOH has also commissioned a study titled The Future of Health Workforce in Malaysia, conducted by the Strategic Engagement Group (SEG).
The report recommends forming an inter-ministerial Human Resource in Healthcare (HRH) Governance Board, to coordinate long-term workforce sustainability strategies across multiple agencies.
Dzulkefly acknowledged that solutions require collaboration beyond the Health Ministry, involving the Public Service Department (PSD), Finance Ministry, Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) Human Resources Ministry.
He said Malaysia, as the 2025 Asean Chair, also plans to elevate the discussion on healthcare workforce mobility and regional accountability.
"MOH remains fully committed to building a vibrant, robust healthcare system, not just by reforming healthcare financing but also by modernising care delivery through digitalisation, AI and new technologies," he said.
Experts raised concerns over Singapore's move to hold an open recruitment exercise for doctors here next month, saying that it could further exacerbate the nation's healthcare brain drain.