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

The Ministry of Health (MOH) plans to suggest incorporating contract dental and pharmacy officers as permanent employees for the approval of the Finance Ministry and the Cabinet, aiming to secure the future and well-being of these personnel. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad announced this proposal, which follows a similar approach used for contract medical doctors.

The first step will include dental and pharmacy officers, similar to previously discussed medical doctors. This initiative will use a distinct quota from the 9,000 permanent medical doctor positions announced in Budget 2027. The Malaysian Dental Association (MDA) had previously recommended the government to consider permanent appointments for contract dental officers, following the announcement of permanent roles for medical doctors.

Upon hearing reports of dental officers' contracts not being renewed, Dzulkefly stated that the MOH would continue monitoring their welfare and experience within the public healthcare system. Additionally, Dzulkefly expressed optimism that the Finance Ministry might approve a budget of approximately RM100 million to bolster non-communicable disease (NCD) management at primary healthcare levels.

This allocation is vital for improving prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and continuous control of chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. Dzulkefly emphasized that NCD management is a crucial aspect of his reform agenda, alongside initiatives such as PeKa B40, which received RM80 million. Managing NCDs requires screening at the initial stage, as well as ongoing diagnosis, treatment, and control for conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.

Dzulkefly also mentioned that benchmarking NCD management expenditure per capita would consider practices in nations such as Singapore and Indonesia, as well as global trends that prioritize primary healthcare services.