00:00Will Malaysian doctors finally find a cure?
00:04Ten years.
00:05The government has pledged 9,000 permanent positions for contract doctors throughout 2027.
00:12Junior doctors who completed their housemanship will also be absorbed into permanent positions as medical officers,
00:18indicating a possible end to the contract system.
00:22For a decade, young doctors, dentists and pharmacists have entered Malaysia's public healthcare system under contract appointments.
00:30They have faced uncertainty over job security while public healthcare was chronically understaffed.
00:37Allowances that were not revised for a long period, limited career progression and severe burn-out,
00:43these were among the problems they faced.
00:46Introduced in 2016 to address a glut of medical graduates, the system soon became a source of frustration.
00:53Then came one of the darkest periods in history, COVID-19.
00:58They stood on the front lines but were facing uncertainty about their own futures.
01:03They were hailed as national heroes.
01:05Yet, as they fought to save lives, there was a question mark over their own careers.
01:11In 2021, Code Black and Hartol Doctor contract brought their grievances into the spotlight.
01:18For the first time, we saw the hands that healed protests demanding job security, better working conditions and a fairer
01:26future.
01:26Some were forced to leave the public service when they were not offered permanent positions,
01:31while others went overseas in search of greener pastures.
01:35Then, Malaysia was battling a whole new problem.
01:38Brain drain, as it was bleeding medical talent.
01:41Calls have grown for the government to finally set up the Health Services Commission
01:46and give the Health Ministry autonomy to hire its manpower.
01:50As right now, recruitment is not entirely in its hands as the Finance Ministry, Public Service Department and Public Service
01:57Commission
01:58all have a say in terms of funding and the number of positions.
02:01The situation is especially serious in Sabah and Sarawak,
02:05where shortages put pressure on existing staff and affect access to healthcare.
02:10So, ending the contract system must mean clear career pathways for doctors, dentists and pharmacies,
02:17fairer allowances, better benefits and incentives to serve underserved areas.
02:22Most importantly, their futures must be secure.
02:26Ten years is a long time to wait for certainty.
02:29The government must now deliver before more talent leave the country and patients pay the price.
02:36So ...
02:36...
02:36...
02:36...
