Conduct pilot project before implementing shift system, says MMA

Source: The Star

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) urges the Health Ministry to conduct a six-month pilot programme at selected facilities before implementing a shift system in public healthcare.

MMA president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz said such a pilot project would comprehensively assess the long-term implications of the proposed shift system on the healthcare system.

In a statement on Sunday (March 10), she highlighted that the shift system would require a significant increase in the number of healthcare workers.

"Some centres may need two or three times as many doctors, necessitating a thorough analysis of the distribution of the public healthcare workforce to address the prevailing issue of maldistribution," she said.

Dr Azizan reiterated that the shift system would only be effective in facilities with sufficient manpower, emphasising that it must also meet the training needs of healthcare professionals.

She added that there is a need to ensure that future specialists are well-equipped and competent in shouldering the heavy burden of patient care and safety.

Regarding remuneration, the MMA asserted that income from allowances must not be affected.

She warned that removing the on-call allowance for medical officers could result in a 20% pay cut or more, especially impacting junior doctors already grappling with the rising cost of living.

Therefore, the MMA proposed a flexi allowance of at least RM1500 for medical officers (MOs) to mitigate financial implications and curb the trend of resignations among doctors in public healthcare.

"The MMA believes it is crucial to initiate early discussions with stakeholders to collaboratively determine the most effective path forward," she added.