President Datuk Dr M. Subramaniam (
pic) said these issues, if left to fester, will affect the standard of healthcare in the country over time.
Among the issues raised include permanent positions and contract extensions, safeguarding the health of all clinical staff, welfare and support for healthcare workers, as well as healthcare workers’ annual leave.
Dr Subramaniam said the pandemic has highlighted severe understaffing in the medical workforce, with many doctors forced to be placed on an increased number of calls compared to normal days.
However, only a small proportion of contract medical officers have been offered permanent positions in government service, with the fate of the remaining doctors left hanging and unknown.