Relocation of Medical Officers Must Be Data Driven

The recent relocation exercise at the end of July, which involved contract doctors being given permanent positions, has been generating headlines because of the significant impact that it has on various healthcare facilities across the countries. While some states like Sabah and Sarawak are reported to have gained more medical officers, other major hospitals particularly around the Klang Valley are facing a net loss of trained medical officers - a gap that the Minister of Health Dr Zaliha Mustafa says will be filled by December at the latest. 

We discuss how these relocations are affecting doctors and patient care with Dr Sivabala Selvaratnam, Vice Chairman of MMA’s Section Concerning House Officers, Medical Officers, and Specialists. 

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