KUALA LUMPUR: Doctors are leaving over stalled careers, low pay, and toxic workplaces, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) warned.
In a statement, MMA president Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo said addressing these “push factors” at home is the key to retaining talent, rather than seeking compensation from countries like Singapore that employ Malaysian-trained doctors.
“Our doctors are leaving not because others are taking them, but because we are pushing them away,” he said.
“Stalled careers, inadequate on-call allowances, toxic workplaces, and unclear career pathways have made staying unattractive.”
The departure of doctors puts immense strain on the country’s healthcare system, leading to staff shortages, heavier workloads and longer waiting times.
The MMA highlighted recent moves by the Health Ministry under Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, including absorbing contract doctors and ending the 10-year contract system.
However, Dr Thirunavukarasu stressed that implementation must be immediate.
The on-call allowance (ETAP) increase, approved in April 2025, should not be deferred to 2026, he added.
Retention, he said, requires a coordinated approach across government agencies.
“This includes immediate ETAP uplift and periodic reviews, clear and time-bound career pathways for permanent posts and specialist training, safe workloads supported by proper manpower norms, and modern facilities with a supportive workplace culture,” he said.
Existing initiatives, such as manpower norms for all healthcare categories, a national manpower dashboard, and the “Suka Sama Suka” platform for postings, provide important building blocks, he said.
“Malaysia cannot afford to continue losing doctors,” Dr Thirunavukarasu said.
“The solution is not to seek compensation from others, but to create an environment where our doctors feel valued, supported, and have a future they can believe in. Turning words into action is the only way to strengthen our profession and deliver real value to patients.”
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
