Materia Medica Malaysiana

Move to win doctors’ hearts

PONTIAN: The full payment service, to be introduced at government hospitals soon, is not expected to stop doctors from leaving the public sector, said Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek.

Instead, he said the service was aimed at “winning the hearts” of doctors.

“The plan will see the creation of an environment similar to that in private hospitals.

“We are talking about facilities and support staff that would all be just like in private hospitals,” he told reporters after visiting the Pontian hospital yesterday.

Dr Chua said many doctors craved for such an environment in the workplace.

“Now we are working towards creating that environment which we hope will win their hearts and encourage them to continue working in government hospitals,” he added.

Dr Chua said it was not impossible to keep doctors in government service.

“The scenario where doctors leave public hospitals is happening everywhere even in developed countries.

“This is a reality we must face. But at the same time, we are trying everything we can to make them stay (in public hospitals) and the introduction of the service is one of these efforts,” he said.

On the Pontian hospital, Dr Chua said its services would be upgraded to cater to the rapid development in the area, including the construction of the Tanjung Bin power plant and a petrochemical plant.

He said the hospital would be equipped to treat injuries caused by petrochemical incidents.

“I hope to be able to implement the upgrade within three years, which will coincide with the completion of the projects,” he added.