MMA calls for stronger healthcare workforce measures in Budget 2027

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has called on the Malaysian government to implement stronger healthcare workforce measures in the upcoming Budget 2027. MMA President Dr Sivanaesan Letchumanan highlighted several critical issues that need to be addressed.

According to the MMA, Malaysia has lost 3,494 doctors between 2019 and 2023, and the country is currently short of nearly 11,000 specialists. Nursing vacancies also stand at 18%, raising concerns about the capacity of public healthcare to provide timely and quality care. Dr Letchumanan emphasized that the government cannot wait for workforce shortages to worsen, as the existing pressure on the healthcare system could further weaken its ability to provide adequate care.

To address these challenges, the MMA has proposed several measures. The association urges the government to allocate sufficient funding to abolish the contract system and offer permanent positions to house officers upon completion of their training by 2028. Additionally, the MMA calls for previous years of contract service to be recognized for seniority and salary progression.

For specialists, MMA proposes a transparent, merit-based pathway for experienced doctors to progress to higher grades after at least five years of satisfactory service. Promotion should be based on objective and measurable criteria, with a structured professional assessment conducted after the 10th year of service. The MMA also emphasizes the need for fair on-call rates for doctors performing specialist responsibilities.

The association has further proposed several policies that hinder doctors' and specialists' ability to build sustainable careers in public healthcare. These include a review of the requirement for three consecutive complete Annual Performance Assessment Reports before subspecialty training, sufficient Jawatan Simpanan Latihan (specialist training positions), fair on-call rates, and increased funding for the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) to ensure its sustainability.

On primary care, MMA advocates for increased investment in the prevention and early detection of non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension. The budget should fund treatment and monitoring following government-supported screening, leveraging Malaysia's extensive network of more than 11,000 private GP clinics.

To further strengthen the private healthcare sector, MMA recommends the establishment of a Private Healthcare Development Division within the Health Ministry. This division would coordinate with the Medical Practice Division (CKAPS) and be responsible for regulating the private healthcare sector. Additionally, MMA proposes RM10 million to digitize CKAPS registration and licensing processes through a single online platform.