Deal with shortage of 11,000 specialists, MMA tells govt

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has urged the government to address the shortage of 11,000 medical specialists in order to cater to the demands of an aging population and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases. Dr. Sivanaesan Letchumanan, president of the MMA, called for ongoing investments in expanding specialist training programs, improving career progression, and optimizing the distribution of healthcare professionals across public healthcare facilities.

He also advocated for the creation of a national healthcare workforce distribution dashboard to monitor staffing levels and shortages in public hospitals and clinics, ensuring efficient resource allocation.

In the upcoming 2027 budget, the government has allocated RM47.7 billion to the health ministry, an increase from RM46.5 billion in 2026. Among the key healthcare measures announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the MMA highlighted the potential of public-private collaborations, investments in medical equipment, and digital health initiatives to reduce patient waiting times and enhance overall healthcare standards.

The permanent appointment of over 9,000 contract doctors into the permanent service was also praised by Dr. Letchumanan, as it provides much-needed job security and career certainty for young medical graduates, fulfilling a longstanding demand of the MMA. However, he emphasized that permanent appointments should be complemented by a comprehensive workforce retention strategy.