Kuota pakar 30% buka peluang doktor, perkukuh kesihatan Sabah dan Sarawak

On October 8, the Malaysian Ministry of Health announced a special quota for encouraging more medical practitioners to serve in Sabah and Sarawak. This move, which reserves 30% of training slots for practicing medical professionals in these eastern Malaysian states, has the potential to create more career opportunities for doctors while strengthening healthcare delivery in Malaysia's interior.

MMA President Dr L Sivanaesan stated that the location of residency training is a crucial factor for doctors when deciding where to serve. He emphasized that doctors must have confidence that their career development will not be compromised by working in Sabah and Sarawak. On the same day, the Ministry of Health announced the special quota to attract more medical staff to the region, anticipating nearly 500 training slots.

Dr L Sivanaesan stressed the success of the initiative would hinge on accurately addressing healthcare needs in both states, particularly in the critical shortage of specialists. "The success of this initiative needs to be measured by the distribution of specialists, their ability to retain them, and patients' access to specialist care, especially in underserved areas," he said.

The expansion of specialist training emphasizes the need for doctors to compete for training slots, including those from mainland candidates. Dr Fatin Nurhidayah of KKIA Health Clinic in Sabah welcomed the initiative, noting that a 30% special quota could provide an opportunity for doctors in Sabah and Sarawak to build a specialist career.

"It also reduces patients' dependence on referral hospitals in cities or other states, minimizing their need for long-distance travel for treatment," she added. Dr Amirah Badrul Hisham pointed out that the quota could offer doctors exposure to different diseases based on their placement locations. "Every doctor should experience service in Sabah and Sarawak as there are differences in the diseases encountered," she noted, while working at Sambir 1 Health Clinic in Sarawak.

Fatin and Amirah echoed the need for such efforts to be accompanied by other measures, such as providing adequate incentives, improving healthcare facilities, and providing suitable accommodation for doctors who relocate to Sabah and Sarawak. Meanwhile, KRI researcher Ilyana Mukriz saw the quota as a positive step recognizing the contributions of doctors in Sabah and Sarawak.

However, she cautioned the Ministry of Health must consider the number of medical staff still working in the states when 30% take specialist training, given the many university programs offered on the mainland. "The Ministry must ensure hospital staff capacity to accommodate trainees and those still working in the field," she stated.

Ilyana also suggested the quota should be linked to minimum service commitments in rural areas to ensure local communities benefit when doctors complete their training and return to service. "This step is crucial to ensuring patients benefit from returning specialists," she said.