Fewer docs leaving service

Star: PUTRAJAYA: In what has been described as a positive development, the Government has noted that fewer doctors and specialists are leaving the civil service.
Although it is too early to release any statistics now, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said that was the indication.
He said private practice had become more competitive and was no longer a goldmine, and this was one of the reasons for the change.
“Coupled with that, the ministry has introduced various measures to make the salary scale for doctors and specialists more attractive,” he told reporters after giving out the ministry’s excellent service awards to 316 staff members here yesterday.
“We can’t release any statistics yet because it’s still too early and we will need a year in order to tell the difference. But we can see this trend already.
“Our feeling is that the resignation of our own specialists and doctors from government service will be reduced.”
Dr Chua said the ministry had decided not to employ any more foreign doctors because the work performance of some of them was unsatisfactory.
“Certain doctors don’t turn up for work, or don’t come back to hospitals even when they are on call. There are also those who face health problems with some not reporting for work as scheduled. Some are skilled in areas that we do not require.
“Many of them can’t even communicate with their patients as they are not conversant in Bahasa Malaysia or any of the local Chinese and Indian dialects.
“They have to resort to hand gestures and this affects the quality of healthcare,” he said.
There are currently 698 foreign doctors employed on a three-year contract. Between 2003 and June 30 this year, the Government has terminated the contract of 118 of these medical officers – 43 of whom are from Pakistan, 36 from Egypt, 20 from India and the rest from other countries.