Don't blame us - contract doctors

SHAH ALAM - Contract doctors cannot be 'fully blamed' for going on strike across the country for three days starting Monday.

According to a doctor who will participate in the strike, the government's failure to identify the problem of contract medical officers caused them to take action in this way.

A source told Sinar Harian that the doctors have given '300 percent' in carrying out their duties.

"In this case, the doctor cannot be blamed.

"We are tired of working, but there is still oppression and we are not being defended.

"When the government fails to listen to our problems, then this situation will affect the health industry, like this strike," he said.

It is believed a three-day strike by contract doctors will begin today and end this Wednesday, with the DoctorsMalaysia Instagram page urging contract doctors across the country to join or resign en masse.

He pointed out that various suggestions and ideas were put forward, such as increasing the 'on call' rate, establishing a health services commission, and adding more staff to ease the burden on health workers.

"However, for so long it has only been discussions without any action. The government is seen to have no commitment at all to realise this.

"There are still many things that the government needs to do, especially in an effort to ease our burden to commensurate with the salaries given," he said.

He also believed that good services can be provided to the people if the government also defends the fate of contract doctors.

Meanwhile, a representative from the group of contract doctors explained that even after the cabinet has agreed to establish a high-level committee to deal with the issues, the strike will go on.

Citing Astro Awani's report on Saturday, a representative from the group behind the @mogokdoktormsia Instagram account said that many committee and meeting sessions have been held, but the problem has not been resolved.

"We are disappointed and have lost faith in the Malaysian Ministry of Health (KKM).

"The problem is no longer resolved, with as many as 83 per cent of contract doctors not being given permanent positions recently," said the representative known as Dr Jamal.

Dr Jamal , who claims to work as a contract medical officer in the capital city, said its estimated that between 10,000 and 13,000 health workers are expected to join the strike.

He said health workers from all over the country have expressed their interest in joining the strike, mostly those based in Selangor, Penang, Johor, Sabah and Sarawak.

He called for the people to seek services at private clinics or hospitals throughout the period.

Earlier, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa, said in a statement that a strike is not the best solution to deal with any problem related to medical officers.

Therefore, on March 31, the cabinet had agreed to establish a high-level committee that combines several ministries and agencies, including the Chief Secretary, to deal with the issue of contract doctors.