No Doctors On Strike So Far, MMA Reports
The Malaysian Medical Association has also called for the fear caused by the threats of strikes to be addressed.
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The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) said that there have been no strikes reported so far, but has called for the public fear caused by this to be addressed.
So far checks made by MMA today revealed that there is no strike taking place at any of the public healthcare facilities throughout the country. However, the issue of public fear needs to be addressed. The MMA has been receiving calls from the public asking if public health care facilities are operating as usual today and we have assured them that they indeed are.
MMA president Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai
Dr Muruga also added that they hoped the Health Ministry, through more frequent messaging through press statements and social media updates, will allay these fears and reassure the public that all public health care services are being provided without any disruptions.
Messages on the issue causing panic and fear are also being spread on social media. This too needs to be countered with the right messaging from the authorities. We advise the public to verify information they receive and only trust reliable and credible sources for any news or updates.
MMA president Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai
Over the weekend, teh Johor Health Department (JKNK) and the Ministry of Health (MoH)came under fire for threatening to take disciplinary action against contract doctors in the state if they participate in a nationwide strike on April 3.
As reported by MalayMail, JKNJ director Datuk Dr Aman Rabu told a media press conference that action will only be imposed if the contract doctors fail to take heed of the advice given to them not to participate in the strike.
Our services are running as usual, that’s our guarantee. If it (the strike) happens, action will be taken against those who take part, as directed by the Ministry of Health Malaysia.
JKNJ director Datuk Dr Aman Rabu
On Saturday, the Ministry of Health tweeted a circulation letter which read that civil servants are prohibited from engaging in any illegal assembly.
It also read that the involvement of civil servants in illegal gatherings is a violation of Regulation 4 (1) and 4 (2), PU (A) 395/1993.
Netizens flocked to social media in defence of health care workers following the tweet from MoH.
Twitter user @ruhisya said:
Our healthcare workers are being paid around RM9/hour, which is less than what a Uniqlo sales assistant earns. I expect the new government to value them more. This issue is not new either, people have been talking about it for YEARS. Quoting this to show solidarity!
@ruhisya via Twitter
Another Twitter user @ApamGulaMelaka said:
SOLIDARITY WITH ALL THE DOCTORS GOING FOR THE PROTEST! BETTER WAGE AND WORK LIFE BALANCE FOR OUR FRONTLINES. And for gov that is build by protesters, you all sure do have the audacity to called it “perhimpunan haram”
@ApamGulaMelaka via Twitter
Twitter user @arif_majidstret called this act “ironic” especially since it comes from a government that promotes freedom of speech.
Kinda ironic seeing this coming from the current govt that promotes freedom of speech.
@arif_majidstret via Twitter
Former Malaysian United Democratic Alliance’s (Muda) parliamentary candidate Lim Wei Jiet also tweeted in solidarity with the contract doctors, saying:
No such thing as “perhimpunan haram”, get your facts right KKM. In solidarity – junior doctors must be really desperate to resort to this, knowing the consequences. And to Gov/some who guilt-trip on oath, patient interest is better served if junior doctor wellbeing is secured.
Former Muda parliamentary candidate Lim Wei Jiet
On Saturday (April 1), Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the cabinet has agreed to establish a high-level committee to deal with the issue of contract doctors.
She added that the committee will comprise representatives of several ministries and agencies including the Chief Secretary to the Government, Zuki Ali.
The Ministry of Health realises that the issue of contract doctors is an issue that has long been inherited from the previous government, since it was introduced back in 2016, as a result of the dumping of doctors in the market at that time.
Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa
Zaliha also added that Putrajaya has from time to time responded to the problems and demands raised by health workers, including creating permanent posts, sponsoring specialist training or advanced training and time-based promotions.
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