13,072 doctor posts vacant as of June
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 13,072 doctor posts in the Health Ministry were vacant as of June 30, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said.
As of June 30, the Health Ministry in Malaysia reported 13,072 vacant medical officer positions, with 1,660 roles for specialist medical officers and 11,412 for non-specialist officers. Between 2024 and 2026, the ministry documented 3,510 resignations among permanent and contract medical officers, consisting of 1,252 permanent and 2,258 contract positions.
Eight medical specialists also resigned or relocated overseas. The primary reason for resignations was employment in the private sector, making up 51.4% of cases, followed by personal reasons (36.8%), service with statutory bodies (4.5%), working or residing overseas (2.9%), health issues (2.6%), pursuing further education (1.5%), and opening private clinics (0.3%).
To tackle the problem, the Public Service Department established a task force in April to examine staffing issues, and the ministry received enhanced authority to manage and distribute approved positions for quicker recruitment. Additionally, six government hospitals achieved the goal of treating at least 70% of non-emergency patients within two hours, with Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh leading the way at 98.61%.
Patient attendance at these six major hospitals also decreased by nine percent after government health clinics extended their operating hours.
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