Ministry of Health will offer 4,914 permanent positions this year, according to Minister of Health, Dr Zaliha Mustafa,
Of 4914 positions, 4,263 would be for medical officer positions, followed by 335 offers for dental officers and 316 for pharmaceutical officers, the minister said.
“Job openings will be advertised beginning today till Jan 21,” she added.
“I hope eligible candidates can fill out the application form and submit their complete information immediately,” she said during her 2023 New Year 2023 Mandate Council speech.
The ministry would implement an initiative to strengthen human resources this year, she added.
“In general, patients have been hoping that the ministry can resolve the issue of congestion and long waiting periods for treatment at public hospitals and health clinics.”
The large number of patients seeking services at government hospitals and clinics, including the Emergency Department (ED), contributed to the congestion, even if the illness was categorised as non-critical, Dr Zaliha said.
“The Auditor General’s report for 2019 explained that the waiting period was more than six hours and that it was due to 70 per cent of cases received being cases for the green zone.”
Dr Zaliha suggested that state health directors reconsider the requirements for health clinics in order to extend their operating hours.
“This step can divert customers who are categorised as non-critical cases to be treated at those clinics and no longer in the ED.”
Dr Zaliha also urged state health directors to implement rotation among medical practitioners to ensure effective health services to the people.
“For example, placing officers from health clinics into hospitals. This step can reduce the long working hours for an officer and indirectly prevent or reduce the incidence of burnout.”
