The government from time to time has responded or acted on problems and requests raised by health workers.
Director General of Health Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said, therefore, a strike is not the best solution and the problems that arise need to be dealt with through joint involvement and a more prudent way.
He responded on the issue of the health sector strike which is said to be held soon following the dissatisfaction of health workers regarding several matters including the issue of allowance cuts.
Dr Noor Hisham said, for the time being, the Ministry of Health only received announcements about the strike through social media channels only and did not have any further information about it.
“The organisation of a strike in general can cause a service to be affected for as long as it is organised.
“Usually it is organised to convey a certain message to the relevant parties. But this matter needs to be weighed carefully.
“This is because the health service is a critical service, especially because it involves human life and the well-being of the people,” he said in a statement today.
He is of the view that strikes, especially in an unplanned manner, may not be the best solution to any problems that arise in connection with the profession of medical officers or any other professional scheme.
“Health services in this country must continue to be considered as a critical sector and the same goes for health workers.
“This is due to the complexity of this sector, as well as the challenges, risks and hard work that health personnel have to face in carrying out their tasks and responsibilities,” he said.
According to him, without an intact health system and health service workers who continue to provide services, it is impossible for the country to move forward.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has taught us that without a resilient health system, the country is unlikely to be able to control the epidemic well and people are unlikely to be able to continue their normal life activities.
“The prosperity we are enjoying now is of course largely contributed by experts and health personnel at various levels, whether in the prevention or public health sectors or those working in the clinical and research sectors.
“Each of them have a very important role. “Thanks to the sacrifices made by the health workers before, the people can do their jobs again,” he said.
Dr Noor Hisham said, health services should continue to be resilient because future challenges including the risk of a crisis or pandemic may be greater and more complex than what we have gone through before.
He believes that the government from time to time will ensure that all problems and demands of health workers are examined in accordance with current issues and given appropriate solutions based on the country’s economic capabilities.
“Alhamdulillah, health services continue to be given due priority by the Government as we can see through the 2023 Budget,” he said.
Earlier it went viral on social media for organising a strike on March 30 in conjunction with Doctor’s Day and May 12 in conjunction with Nurse’s Day, the follow-up to the Critical Service Incentive Payment (BIPK) will be reviewed.
