MOH will push for absorbing contract dental and pharmacy officers, says Dzulkefly

The Ministry of Health (MOH) plans to propose the conversion of contract dental and pharmacy officers to permanent positions, according to Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. This move aims to safeguard the future and welfare of these groups. The minister stated that the proposal will be discussed by the Ministry of Finance and the Cabinet in the near future, following a similar approach utilized for contract medical doctors.

The initial step would involve the conversion of contract dental and pharmacy officers, with additional service schemes potentially following suit. The recruitment of dental and pharmacy officers would be allocated a new quota, distinct from the 9,000 permanent medical doctor positions announced in Budget 2027.

The Malaysian Dental Association (MDA) had previously urged the government and MOH to consider permanent appointments for contract dental officers after the announcement of permanent positions for medical doctors. Dr Dzulkefly also addressed concerns regarding contract dental officers whose contracts were not renewed. He assured that the MOH would continue to monitor their welfare and experience within the public healthcare system.

Furthermore, Dr Dzulkefly expressed optimism that the Ministry of Finance may grant a seed allocation of approximately RM100 million to bolster non-communicable disease (NCD) management at the primary healthcare level. This funding is crucial for enhancing prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing control of chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Dr Dzulkefly emphasized that addressing NCD management is a significant aspect of his reforms. Alongside the allocation of RM80 million for PeKa B40, managing NCDs from a healthcare perspective is crucial in tackling the chronic disease pandemic. The minister added that benchmarking per capita expenditure for NCD management draws from practices in countries like Singapore and Indonesia, as well as global trends focusing on primary healthcare services.