KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 2 \u2014 The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) Sabah said yesterday that only 47 out of 138 medical officers from outside Sabah assigned to hospital postings in the state had reported for duty.<\/p>\n
This is equivalent to just 34 per cent reporting for duty or two-thirds (91 doctors) not showing up.<\/p>\n
Although MMA Sabah lacked data on doctor postings to district health offices or public health clinics, the association suggested that similar difficulties may be affecting primary health care facilities, based on feedback from doctors on the ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cSabah\u2019s doctor shortage is reaching breaking point,\u201d MMA Sabah chairman Dr Brandon Patrick Senagang said in a statement<\/a> yesterday.<\/p>\n \u201cThe recent large number of medical officers who did not take up postings in Sabah should be regarded as a serious warning.<\/p>\n \u201cPermanent appointments have long been sought by contract doctors for greater career security. When doctors are prepared to give up a permanent appointment rather than take up a posting, we must ask what is driving that decision.\u201d<\/p>\n MMA Sabah urged the state government to make staff accommodation a health care infrastructure priority, consider Sabah-specific supplementary financial incentives, and invest in the living conditions surrounding rural health care facilities.<\/p>\n Over the longer term, the association proposed that the Sabah state government invest in developing its own medical workforce through scholarships and clear opportunities for specialist training.<\/p>\n