MOH approves full relocation allowances for medical officers transferring to Sabah and Sarawak

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has granted full relocation allowance approvals for medical officers transferring to the states of Sabah and Sarawak, addressing financial concerns for healthcare personnel. This strategic decision, secured with the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service Department (JPA), resolves moving cost issues for permanent appointment cohorts starting in 2025 and extending to 2026 and beyond.

The government's commitment to valuing healthcare staff's service and sacrifices is evident in this move, ensuring moving costs no longer hinder doctors accepting cross-regional postings. The approval aligns with the 20 MADANI Government Initiatives for the Welfare of KKM Staff, enabling officers in permanent roles to claim full relocation allowances.

Addressing broader staffing challenges, KKM emphasizes that doctor shortages and placement imbalances are being tackled systematically. The approval allows for phased mitigation, alongside long-term measures like offering permanent appointments to 4,500 contract medical officers this year. Enhanced ePlacement requirements now mandate at least one placement option in Sabah, Sarawak, or Labuan for contract medical officers transitioning to permanent roles, aiming to reduce wait times for graduate medical training placements from over 10 months to just two months.

The initiative also seeks to phase out contract doctor arrangements entirely by 2028, with a total of 18,755 permanent appointments anticipated across various medical disciplines.