3,950 Health Officers Given Permanent Posts by Malaysian PSC

MALAYSIA: A total of 3,950 health officers, including medical officers, dentists, and pharmacists, have been granted permanent positions by Malaysia’s Public Service Commission (PSC) as of October 21, 2024. The appointment is aimed at enhancing the delivery of healthcare services in the country, as reported by an article on The Sun.

This announcement comes as a significant development for the healthcare sector, particularly for the Ministry of Health (MoH), which has been working with contract (interim) health professionals for years. The new permanent roles include 3,200 medical officers, 350 dentists, and 400 pharmacists, who were previously employed under contract appointments.

“Hopefully, with this permanent appointment, the candidates will be committed and provide better services for the well-being of the Malaysian MADANI society,” stated the Ministry of Health in its official release, highlighting the expected improvements in healthcare service delivery following the appointments.

Placement and Appeal Process for New Appointees

The Ministry of Health has established a clear process for newly appointed officers who wish to change their initial placements. Medical officers can submit their requests for relocation through the Google Form available in the MoH’s e-Placement system from November 5 to November 11, 2024. Dental and pharmacy officers have a slightly extended period for submitting their requests, from November 5 to November 15, 2024.

The ministry also explained that the Placement Appeals Committee would review only those appeals submitted through the specified Google Forms within the allotted timeframe. Results of these appeals will be communicated to the applicants via the MoH Career Review portal on December 2, 2024.

Special Considerations for Placement Appeals

According to the Ministry’s statement, several specific circumstances will be taken into account when considering appeals for placement changes. The criteria include:

• Candidates who are currently pursuing specialist studies approved by the Ministry of Health.
• Candidates who, or whose spouse or child, are suffering from serious health conditions, supported by a medical report.
• Mutual exchange requests submitted by candidates seeking to swap their postings.

The State Health Department is scheduled to handle the actual placement of these officers into various healthcare facilities starting from December 23, 2024.

Effective Date and Reporting Requirements

For those who have been permanently appointed, the official start date will align with their effective reporting for duty date, set as December 30, 2024. However, the ministry has noted that candidates may request a postponement, subject to approval by the head of their respective departments.

The announcement of these permanent appointments marks a significant milestone in the integration of contract health workers into the public service sector. It is seen as a step forward in ensuring a more stable and committed healthcare workforce for Malaysia, addressing long-standing concerns about job security and continuity of service in the healthcare system.

In its concluding remarks, the Ministry of Health emphasized the importance of these appointments in strengthening the nation’s healthcare framework, stating that the move is aligned with the broader objectives of enhancing the well-being of the Malaysian society.

For more detailed information, readers can access the full article on The Sun.