Docs welcome carrots, but nurses want more

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) gave the thumbs-up to the new incentives for public health service personnel, but the Malayan Nurses Union wants more for its members.
MMA president Datuk Dr Teoh Siang Chin said issues pertaining to government doctors that the association raised over the past 20 years had finally been addressed.
“Much progress has been made through this review in such areas as inequalities in remuneration, qualifications and performance,” he said.
Among the incentives for government doctors announced by Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek on Tuesday were an extension of employment up to 65 years and tax-exempt out-of-office allowances.
Dr Teoh said that extending the service of doctors would enrich the public service.
“These senior doctors are still capable and will provide much guidance and wisdom,” he said in a statement.
Dr Chua also announced a new salary scheme for paramedics, nurses, medical trainers and science officers who are degree holders, while diploma holders have a chance to work their way up to a higher pay scale.
Malayan Nurses Union general secretary Siti Azizah Abdul Rahman said more needed to be done for the 40,000 nurses in government service.
“A degree scheme for nurses is long overdue and we thank the Government for it.
“But it must be remembered that the bulk of nurses are diploma holders,” she said, pointing out that diploma holders make up 80% of the nurses.
“It is these nurses who should be appreciated and recognised. There should be an upgrade for the diploma scheme,” she said yesterday.
Azizah also said there should be special incentives for nurses with post-basic qualifications.
“These nurses go through intensive six-month to one-year courses but come back to earn the same amount as others who did not make such sacrifices,” she said.
Azizah said advances in the medical industry now required nurses to specialise and they should be given due recognition.
”Many nurses are upset and their morale is low because they feel that if they are not recognised they do not see any point in specialising,” she said.
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