Add more medical staff to end work overload, says MMA

SHAH ALAM - Sufficient doctors, nurses and support staff will be crucial to ensuring staff are not overworked, says the Malaysian Medical Association.

Its president Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai said this is to ensure the workability of the government's move to extend the operating hours at 52 selected government health clinics.

He said the extension may be necessary as an immediate and interim solution to ease the current congestion seen at government healthcare facilities.

"The extended operating hours at these clinics may also be an opportunity for doctors who are no longer in the public healthcare system, to come back to serve and earn an income.

"Some of them include former contract doctors who did not get permanent posts or who have left the system for various other reasons," he said in a statement today.

He also said that this may serve as an opportunity for private general practitioners (GPs) whose clinics close early to earn an additional income.

He noted that the extended hours may be a quick fix to the current level of congestion seen at public healthcare facilities.

In relation to this, Dr Murugan urged the Health Ministry to look into mid- and long-term sustainable solutions.

He suggested the outsourcing of its Green Zone cases to private GP clinics, which the government has planned for under the Madani Medical Scheme, and he hopes to get an update soon.

"MMA has for many years proposed involving private GPs as a necessary step to strengthening primary care in the country.

"Private GPs play a key role in the healthcare management of the population and should be included in government healthcare policies," he added.