Materia Medica Malaysiana

End to services of foreign docs in 9th Plan

Federal Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek disclosed that Sabah will be allocated RM1.2 billion to upgrade rural hospitals in the State under the 9th Malaysia Plan.
At the same time, the Malaysian Government would no longer require the services of foreign doctors in the country.
Presently, there are 960 foreign doctors serving in Malaysia under contract, with an option to extend their stint if they wanted to continue working in the country.
In this respect, hospital directors should allocate at least 10 hours a week to ensure the smooth running of their services, while the retirement age of existing doctors would be extended from 55 years to 65 to overcome the acute shortage of doctors in the country, he said.
Furthermore, local higher learning institutions should strive to encourage more students taking up courses in medicine. Dr Chua said this during a visit to the Keningau district hospital here, Saturday