SEREMBAN: Government doctors serving on a contract basis should be offered permanent positions, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

       The Umno deputy president said the authorities should also come up with new guidelines that clearly spelled out the requirements for new doctors entering government service to avoid a potential influx of medical officers in the future.

       Mohamad welcomed the recent announcement on the extension of contracts for medical officers, dental officers and pharmaceutical officers by two years upon completion of their mandatory service, but said this would not solve the problem.

       “Although the announcement by the Prime Minister is a step in the right direction, it still does not meet the demand of the contract medical officers.

       “Granting them permanent positions is the true solution Malaysia needs,” he said in a statement.

       Mohamad also said that the government should permanently absorb these officers considering their contributions and sacrifices, especially during this pandemic.

       He said the 18-month pandemic had also put a spotlight on the weaknesses of the country’s healthcare system.

       “We desperately need to increase our investments in the healthcare sector.

       “A healthier doctor-to-patient ratio must be prioritised and we must increase the number of specialist doctors for every 10,000 patients from 3.4 in 2018 to 15 and in line with benchmarks set by the Organi-sation for Economic Cooperation and Development,” he added.On Sunday, Health director- general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah reminded all contract doctors of the oath they made at the beginning of their profession, “primum non nocere”, which translates to “first do no harm” or injustice to their patients.