The Ministry of Health has established a special inter-ministerial task force to address the longstanding shortage of doctors and medical specialists, including efforts to improve talent retention within Malaysia’s healthcare system.
Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said a clear timeline has been set for the task force to refine strategies and develop comprehensive solutions to the issue, which has persisted for years.
He acknowledged that the shortage continues to pose challenges across the country’s healthcare network, particularly with the ministry overseeing 151 hospitals. To tackle the problem more effectively, he has instructed the ministry’s top leadership to collaborate closely with the Ministry of Higher Education, the Public Service Department, and the Ministry of Finance, with a special focus on Sabah.
Speaking to reporters after officiating the Wellness Hub Sandakan, Dzulkefly stressed that resolving the shortage requires a coordinated and systematic approach involving multiple agencies. He noted that Sabah remains a key priority due to ongoing staffing gaps in the state.
As part of the task force’s scope, the ministry is also reviewing proposals to enhance incentives for medical officers. These include improved relocation allowances aimed at encouraging more doctors to serve in Sabah, particularly in underserved areas.
“I want this to be addressed with a long-term perspective. There is no reason why such incentives cannot be provided to doctors who are committed to serving in Sabah,” he said, underlining the importance of sustainable workforce planning.
Dzulkefly also revealed that 42 graduate medical officers were recently posted to Hospital Duchess of Kent, marking a step towards strengthening manpower in the region.
In a related development, he said the ministry will soon submit a counter-proposal regarding operational expenditure cuts suggested by the Ministry of Finance. The proposed reduction, amounting to RM5.4 billion, involves both the healthcare and higher education sectors as part of broader fiscal consolidation efforts.
