Send extra doctors straight away, says Sabah MMA

Ranau Hospital in Sabah has been left critically understaffed after 11 of its 19 medical officers were transferred out, leaving only one replacement from outside the state to report for duty. The Sabah Medical Association has called for immediate deployment of additional doctors from Peninsular Malaysia to address the severe shortage, citing reports of doctors working between 48 and 72 consecutive hours with inadequate rest.

The health ministry has acknowledged a projected deficit of 245 medical officers, with a significant majority of replacement candidates failing to report for duty. The Sabah MMA president, Dr Brandon Patrick Senagang, urged the health department to act urgently, proposing a coordinated program of temporary deployments with clear rotation periods, funded travel and accommodation, and adequate operational support.

He welcomed the ministry's initiative to recruit 750 medical officers, but stressed that the proposed start date was too distant to alleviate the current crisis. Long-term solutions should encompass restoring regional incentive payments, enhancing incentives for rural and East Malaysian postings, providing relocation assistance and safe accommodation, establishing clear posting durations, ensuring transparent transfer arrangements, and offering career progression opportunities for healthcare professionals.