Cancer centre struggles with shortage of medical officers

The cancer treatment centre in Malaysia is facing a significant shortage of medical officers (MOs). Currently, there are only four MOs working at a time, while the day-care unit sees up to 100 chemotherapy patients and the oncology clinic treats 150 to 160 patients on some days. The centre needs between 45 to 50 MOs to handle the workload, but only about half of that number is currently available.

The shortage has worsened over the past two to three years as some MOs have left, and new ones have not been recruited at the same rate. Additionally, some MOs take medical or study leave or are transferred to other facilities. The high workload has led to concerns about fatigue and the risk of errors, particularly in administering chemotherapy and monitoring patients.

Prolonged delays in treatment have become common, with some patients waiting four or more weeks, which can worsen their condition and increase costs if more complex treatment is required. The doctor treating at the centre emphasized the need to address the welfare of MOs, as they are humans with their own limits. Similar staffing issues are being reported at other government hospitals and facilities.

The doctor called for more MOs to be hired and existing officers to be retained to cope with the increasing patient numbers and the growing burden of cancer in Malaysia.