Malaysia's Health Ministry plans to fully digitise public healthcare facilities by 2029 to cut bureaucracy and paperwork, Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said on Tuesday. [1, 2, 3]
Dzulkefly said ending the contract doctor era is a key first step in reforming the system, but not the final answer. He said the aim is to ease the heavy workload and mental strain on health workers and to improve their working environment and restore their dignity and professional pride. [2, 3]
"We want doctors to return to their core duty of treating patients. The ministry's focus is no longer just providing explanations, but finding thorough and effective solutions," he said. [2]
He said more than 14,000 medical officers have been appointed to permanent posts since 2023, and another 4,500 permanent positions will be offered this year. [1, 2, 3]
The ministry is also revising the Medical Act 1971, or Act 50, to strengthen parallel pathway training and local specialist training, with a target of 13,000 specialists by 2030. [1, 2, 3]
Dzulkefly said the reforms are meant to make the system more caring and humane and to restore the dignity of health workers nationwide. [3]
The report also said contract doctor strike organisers and the Malaysian Medical Students' International Association have raised concerns about long intern hours and urged strict enforcement of circulars on independent oversight. A second-year intern, identified as Nana, said interns in her department often worked well beyond the official roster and questioned whether the new circular would be enforced at ground level. [1]
