{
  "id": 11104530,
  "title": "Reported doctor no-shows in Sabah and Sarawak prompt MMA call for incentive overhaul",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/reported-doctor-no-shows-in-sabah-and-sarawak-prompt-mma-call-for-11104530",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-01T03:44:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/01/reported-doctor-no-shows-in-sabah-and-sarawak-prompt-mma-call-for-incentive-overhaul/237219"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has urged the government to revise the existing incentive payment system for doctors in Sabah and Sarawak, following reports of widespread no-shows by newly appointed medical officers (MOs). MMA president Dr Sivanaesan Letchumanan expressed deep concern over the 70-76 percent no-show rates, with some facilities receiving no new doctors. The association emphasized that doctors posted to the region face difficulties such as relocation costs, inadequate accommodation, and demanding workloads. Dr Sivanaesan proposed reverting to the previous percentage-based Regional Incentive Payment (BIW) and introducing stronger incentives like housing assistance and retention bonuses to attract and retain medical professionals in Sabah and Sarawak. He also stressed the need for certainty on the duration of postings and improved living and working conditions in rural areas to encourage doctors to serve in East Malaysia.",
  "summary": "KUCHING, Oct 1 — The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has called on the government to urgently revert to the pr...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "MMA calls for Borneo incentive to be restored amid doctor no-show reports",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/mma-calls-for-borneo-incentive-to-be-restored-amid-doctor-no-show",
        "published": "2026-10-01T03:05:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Reported doctor no-shows in Sabah and Sarawak prompt MMA call for incentive overhaul",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/reported-doctor-no-shows-in-sabah-and-sarawak-prompt-mma-call-for",
        "published": "2026-10-01T03:44:23.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}