Latest news with #ePlacement
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Dzulkefly welcomes criticism, vows action over healthcare issues
Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said he chooses to 'shape up' instead of 'ship out', not with slogans but with work. PETALING JAYA : Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad says he is open to criticism and is ready to provide clarification on any issue related to his ministry. Dzulkefly said he accepts criticism as a challenge – and not an attack – because he viewed his ministerial post as a duty entrusted by the public. 'Between 'shape up or ship out', I choose to 'shape up', not with slogans but with work. 'I don't promise that everything can be solved, but I do promise that we will listen, we will act, and we won't keep quiet,' he said. He was responding to an editorial published in Utusan Malaysia which raised concerns about the lack of nurses, the on-call allowance, and the ePlacement system. Dzulkefly denied that there is a shortage of 43,243 nurses in the public healthcare sector, stating that there is a total of 120,667 nurses nationwide. He said the health ministry is gradually recruiting nursing graduates from public and private colleges through the public services commission (SPA) and has doubled the capacity of the ministry's health training institute. 'The moratorium on private nursing programmes has also been lifted, while entry requirements for diploma (programmes) have been lowered from five to three SPM credits. Programmes are open to students holding STPM, STAM, SVM, UEC and other qualifications,' he said. In response to a question about when guidelines for managing bullying in the workplace for health ministry staff will be released, Dzulkefly said they would be made public in October in conjunction with World Mental Health Month. He also defended the decision to cancel the placements for doctors in February because of technical issues in the ePlacement system. He said the system has been improved and 2,248 medical officers have since been offered permanent appointments through the system. The ministry has also conducted a review of the medical staff shortage at healthcare facilities that do not implement the flexible working hours scheme and found that on-call allowance cannot be implemented at this time. 'I have instructed the health director-general to continue seeking solutions to realise the provision of on-call allowance that would benefit eligible healthcare workers,' he said. Dzulkefly also said his ministry has completed amendments to the Medicine Act 1971 and the Medicine Regulations 2025, and enforced the long-awaited amendments recognising parallel pathway specialists. He said the ministry has approved additional allocations for hospitals, new and dilapidated clinics, and strengthened permanent appointments of doctors, nurses and health officials.
The Sun
a day ago
- Health
- The Sun
Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad open to feedback on ministry issues
PUTRAJAYA: Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said today that he was open to views and ready to explain any issues related to his ministry. He added that he accepted criticism as a challenge not an attack and his ministerial post was not a privilege but a heavy duty entrusted by the people. 'Between 'Shape up or ship out', I choose to shape up, not with slogans but with work as I believe correcting the system is more important than building perceptions in leading the Health Ministry. 'I don't promise that everything can be solved, but I do promise, we will listen, we will act and we won't keep quiet,' he said in a statement after a news editor raised concerns about whether the Health Minister would be brave enough to answer all issues about his ministry, including the lack of nurses, the on-call allowance and the ePlacement system. He also shared that his ministry had completed the amendments to the Medicine Act 1971 and the Medicine Regulations 2025 and resolved the registration of Parallel Pathway specialists. The ministry also managed to enforce the the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 and created the Suka-Sama-Suka Posting Swap for ministry officers, he said. 'The ministry also approved additional allocations for hospitals, new and dilapidated clinics as well as strengthened permanent appointments of doctors, nurses and health officials,' he added. - Bernama
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
‘I choose to shape up': Dzulkefly vows action as pressure on Health Ministry mounts
PUTRAJAYA, July 12 — Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said today that he was open to views and ready to explain any issues related to his ministry. He added that he accepted criticism as a challenge, not an attack, and that his ministerial post was not a privilege but a heavy duty entrusted by the people. 'Between 'Shape up or ship out', I choose to shape up, not with slogans but with work as I believe correcting the system is more important than building perceptions in leading the Health Ministry. 'I don't promise that everything can be solved, but I do promise, we will listen, we will act and we won't keep quiet,' he said in a statement after a news editor raised concerns about whether the Health Minister would be brave enough to answer all issues about his ministry, including the lack of nurses, the on-call allowance and the ePlacement system. He also shared that his ministry had completed the amendments to the Medicine Act 1971 and the Medicine Regulations 2025 and resolved the registration of Parallel Pathway specialists. The ministry also managed to enforce the the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 and created the Suka-Sama-Suka Posting Swap for ministry officers, he said. 'The ministry also approved additional allocations for hospitals, new and dilapidated clinics as well as strengthened permanent appointments of doctors, nurses and health officials,' he added. — Bernama
The Sun
a day ago
- Health
- The Sun
Over 120,000 nurses employed nationwide, amid shortage and system reforms, says MOH
PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry (MOH) reported that Malaysia currently employs 120,667 nurses nationwide across public and private sectors. However, public health facilities are still facing a shortage of 14,000 nurses, prompting a series of structural reforms to close the gap. In a statement to the media, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad outlined key interventions, including doubling annual nursing trainee intake at the Ministry's training institutes from 1,500 to 3,000, increasing Promotion via Appointment (PSL) slots. 'The entry requirement for nursing diploma programmes has also been temporarily eased from five to three SPM credits between January 2025 and December 2026. 'The programme is now open to applicants from various academic backgrounds, including STPM, STAM, SVM, UEC and equivalent qualifications. 'However, core subjects such as Bahasa Melayu, Mathematics, and Science remain compulsory to ensure the quality of nursing graduates.' MOH has also ended the moratorium on private nursing programmes, with 12 new institutions applying to offer diplomas. Not applied to public facilities, private healthcares are now allowed to employ foreign-trained nurses under tight restrictions as a temporary mesasure; capped at 40% of the local workforce, with mandatory licensing exams and employment regulations. Meanwhile, the ministry has opted not to implement the On-Call Allowance (ETAP) at present due to widespread staffing shortages that prevent alternative shift arrangements. 'I have instructed the Director-General of Health to continue advocating for and seeking solutions to realise the implementation of the ETAP in a way that benefits eligible healthcare workers.' On staffing transparency, Dzulkefly defended the February cancellation of doctor placements under the ePlacement system, citing technical faults. The revised system was used successfully on July 8 by 2,248 newly appointed medical officers. Appeals period runs until July 14, with outcomes to be announced by August 19. The ministry's six-month achievements also includes reforms such as: amendments to the Medical Act and regulations, implementation of the Tobacco Product Control Act (including vape regulation), mandatory drug pricing displays at private clinics, and collaborative financing frameworks with the Finance Ministry and Bank Negara under the RESET initiative. Digital upgrades include the rollout of cloud-based clinic systems at 156 facilities and new MySejahtera features to be announced soon. 'I won't promise everything will be solved overnight, but we listen, we act, and we won't stay silent,' Dzulkefly said.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Medical officer placement results now available via ePlacement system
PUTRAJAYA: The results for the placement of 2,248 contract medical officers under Grade UD10 who have been offered permanent appointments are now available through the ePlacement system. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad confirmed that candidates can check their placements starting today. Those wishing to appeal for a change of placement must submit their requests via a Google Form provided in the ePlacement announcement. The appeal period runs from July 8 at 10 am until July 14 at 5 pm. Only appeals with complete documentation submitted within this timeframe will be reviewed by the Placement and Transfer Appeals Committee (JKPP). Dzulkefly emphasized that appeals submitted outside the specified period will not be considered. This measure ensures timely decision-making without disrupting the reporting schedule for duty at assigned placements. The appeal results will be announced on August 19, accessible through the same system. The minister highlighted the ministry's commitment to strengthening Malaysia's public health system by integrating MADANI values, including Sustainability, Well-being, and Creativity. He expressed confidence that these principles will help address future challenges in public health. In response to a proposal by CUEPACS regarding digital medical certificates (MCs) to prevent misuse, Dzulkefly stated that the ministry is currently reviewing the matter. - Bernama
