KUALA LUMPUR: More than 1,700 government doctors resigned over the last four years, says Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali.

       "Based on the Health Ministry's records, between 2017 and June this year, a total of 1,497 contract medical officers had resigned," the Deputy Health Minister said when replying to a question raised by Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (PH-Kuala Selangor) in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Nov 29).

       He said 110 medical officers resigned in 2017, 168 in 2018, 475 in 2019 and 511 last year.

       "From January to November this year, 514 contract medical officers resigned their posts," he added.

       Based on the figures given by Dr Noor Azmi, a total of 281 doctors resigned between July and November this year.

       He noted that there were several reasons given by the doctors who resigned.

       Among them, he cited those who left to work at private medical facilities or those managed by statutory bodies.

       "Some resigned to further their studies or were facing health issues.

       "Others resigned as they migrated while some chose to leave to open their own private clinics," he added.

       Dr Dzulkefly also asked if the ministry would include more specialist disciplines under the National Specialist Registry.

       "There are medical officers who pursued their master's degrees or PhDs yet are still not recognised under the national registry.

       "Among them are clinical research physicians and medical law (specialists)," Dr Dzulkefly said.

       Dr Noor Azmi said efforts were being made by the ministry to set up a special committee to look into such matters.

       He added that the committee will engage with young doctors to better understand the issues they faced.