{
  "id": 13100290,
  "title": "2027 Budget gives MoH room to push reforms, says Dzulkefly",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/2027-budget-gives-moh-room-to-push-reforms-says-dzulkefly",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-09T10:49:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/1551746/2027-budget-gives-moh-room-push-reforms-says-dzulkefly"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Malaysian government's 2027 Budget announcement has provided the Ministry of Health (MoH) with the opportunity to implement important health reforms, according to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. The move to offer 9,000 permanent positions to contract doctors is a significant step in addressing the country's ongoing doctor shortage.\n\nHowever, implementing these permanent appointments will not be an immediate process. The ministry needs to ensure candidates meet the necessary requirements and consider the various batches and cohorts of medical officers. Dzulkefly emphasized that the ministry is working towards implementing this change as swiftly as possible.\n\nThe implementation of this reform will involve a concerted effort between the MoH, the Higher Education Ministry, and other key organizations. Dzulkefly highlighted that the previous approach to workforce management was fragmented and lacked cohesion. To tackle this issue, the ministry has restructured the approach to a more integrated and seamless system.\n\nTurning to the Flying Doctor Service's (FDS) allowance, Dzulkefly stated that the ministry remains committed to expanding healthcare access, particularly for remote and underserved communities. While discussing the FDS allowance, Dzulkefly clarified that the ministry's focus remains on providing healthcare services rather than operating helicopters. The ministry favors a leasing approach to maintain cost-effectiveness and avoid the burden of helicopter ownership and maintenance.\n\nLastly, the 2027 Budget also announced an increase in the monthly post-basic incentive for 47,000 paramedics and nurses, raising the amount from RM100 to RM200. This change comes alongside a budget allocation increase for the Health Ministry, from RM46.5 billion to RM47.7 billion for 2027.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: The government’s move to offer 9,000 permanent posts to contract doctors is a positive step towards addressing the country’s doctor shortage.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}