Malaysia Pilots On-Call Allowance Hike for Doctors and Dentists

MALAYSIA: The long-anticipated raise in on-call allowances for medical and dental officers in Malaysia will be rolled out as a limited “pilot project,” according to Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (pictured). Despite earlier announcements suggesting a broader increase, Dr Dzulkefly confirmed that the new rates—rising by RM55 to RM65 per shift—will initially be tested over a period of at least three months in select hospitals and clinics.

In a statement made during a Dewan Rakyat session, Dr Dzulkefly addressed concerns over the scope of the allowance increase, clarifying: “The government, through Budget 2025 on October 18, 2024, has agreed to increase the on-call allowance rate for medical and dental officers by RM55 to RM65. This allowance increase will be implemented in a targeted manner according to specific service areas and departments.”

Pilot Project Details

The pilot project will serve as a testing phase before any nationwide rollout of the increased allowances. Dr Dzulkefly noted that the Ministry of Health (MOH) will evaluate the project’s results and submit findings to a central agency for further consideration. However, the minister did not specify which hospitals, clinics, or departments would be included in the trial phase, leaving healthcare professionals uncertain about the immediate benefits.

“In line with the central agency’s recommendation, the MOH will conduct a pilot project of at least three months involving selected hospital and health clinic facilities,” Dr Dzulkefly explained. The results of this limited implementation will be reviewed to determine if a broader, nationwide application is feasible.

Background on the Announcement

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had initially presented the allowance hike as part of the 2025 Budget, framing it as a necessary update to support healthcare professionals working under high-pressure conditions. The increase was positioned as part of a “targeted work system,” aimed at enhancing compensation for medical and dental officers in specific service areas.

The current on-call allowance for government doctors stands at RM220 per shift for active weekend duties. The newly proposed hike would increase this amount to RM275 to RM285 per shift for a 24-hour period, representing a 25% to 29.5% raise. In terms of hourly rates, this adjustment translates to an increase from RM9.16 per hour to approximately RM11.50 to RM11.90 per hour.

Reactions from the Medical Community

The response from the medical community has been mixed. While the raise is seen as a step in the right direction, many believe it falls short of addressing the full extent of the challenges faced by healthcare workers. The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) had previously lobbied for a more substantial increase, calling for a raise to RM25 per hour, or RM600 for a 24-hour shift—representing a 173% jump from current levels.

The MMA’s demand underscores a broader concern about the heavy workload and insufficient compensation faced by doctors and dental officers, especially those performing active on-call duties. Tanjong Karang MP Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi highlighted these issues during the Dewan Rakyat session, questioning whether the MOH would reassess both active and passive on-call allowances.

Uncertainty Over Broader Rollout

The government’s decision to trial the increase rather than implement it nationwide has raised questions about the commitment to long-term improvements in healthcare remuneration. Dr Dzulkefly’s statements suggest that the pilot project is a cautious approach, designed to gather data and feedback before making a final decision.

“The results of this implementation will be submitted to the central agency for consideration of nationwide rollout,” the health minister reiterated, without providing further details on the timeline for the decision-making process.

For now, the medical community awaits the outcome of the pilot project, hoping it will lead to a permanent increase in allowances that better reflects the demands of their roles. The debate over adequate compensation for healthcare workers is likely to continue as the MOH and government officials review the results of this targeted initiative.