Retain doctors in Sabah and Sarawak with better pay, support

New Straits Times

07-08-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: With healthcare delivery in Sabah and Sarawak stretched thin, bold and long-term measures, including better pay, improved conditions, and clearer career pathways, are needed to retain doctors in the Bornean states.
Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Datuk Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira said lasting improvements would require stronger incentives from both the federal and state governments, especially for doctors serving in rural and remote areas.
He said that while contract medical officers appointed to permanent positions are now required to select at least one placement option in Sabah or Sarawak, as recently announced by the health minister, the move is only a short-term measure.
"Factors that hinder acceptance of transfers and policies that encourage long-term retention need to be looked into.
"Providing extra financial incentives for those posted to rural areas is something that has been raised many times.
"It's important to note that travel costs for doctors and their families commuting to and from their homes in West Malaysia are high and place an extra financial burden, compared with being posted closer to home," he said when contacted.
Dr Kalwinder said the government should bear relocation costs for those appointed to permanent positions, and that their prior service as contract doctors should be recognised.
"The difference in transport costs between those posted within West Malaysia and those to Sarawak and Sabah is significant and should be taken into consideration," he said.
Improved working conditions in wards and clinics are also necessary, he said, as the shortage of doctors in these states places an additional burden on those remaining and tasked with running essential services.
He said this situation contributes to a negative perception of postings to East Malaysia and may influence the decisions of doctors assigned there.
There is also a need to review career progression pathways as part of a comprehensive strategy to improve doctor retention in the public healthcare system, he said.
"The government must also consider offering fixed-term postings to Sabah and Sarawak, with an option to remain in the state upon the expiry of the term.
"This may help address uncertainty or concerns these doctors may have over their career futures within the system.
"For doctors wishing to specialise, as an incentive for those serving these states, the government could consider shortening the waiting period for entry into postgraduate specialisation programmes," he said.
Meanwhile, he suggested abolishing the requirement for the Hadiah Latihan Persekutuan or awarding additional points to applicants from Sabah and Sarawak as added benefits to help attract more doctors.
"Postgraduate training in these states should be encouraged, supported, and facilitated so that doctors posted here can pursue specialisation pathways without needing to return to West Malaysia.
"Lastly, the intake of students from Sabah and Sarawak into public medical schools must be increased, particularly for Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and Universiti Malaysia Sabah.
"This would help ensure that more doctors remain in these states and reduce reliance on West Malaysian doctors to address the shortages," he said.
It was reported that the Health Ministry has made it mandatory for contract medical officers appointed to permanent positions to select at least one placement option in Sabah or Sarawak through the e-Placement 2.0 system.