Over 3,000 medical officers left public healthcare sector in last three years, Parliament told
Malaysia's Health Minister reported that over 3,000 medical officers left the public healthcare sector between 2023 and 2025. The government is attempting to mitigate this brain drain through salary increases, improved incentives, and expanded specialist training pathways.
Why it matters
The exodus of public sector medical staff threatens the stability and quality of national healthcare systems, forcing governments to re-evaluate compensation and career structures.
KUALA LUMPUR: More than 3,000 Medical Officers have left the public healthcare sector between 2023 and 2025, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
The Health Minister said efforts are being taken to retain existing talent and curb outflow through improved incentives, career progression opportunities and specialist training pathways.
In 2023 1,283 Medical Officers left the public sector, followed by 1,153 in 2024 and 1,075 in 2025, bringing the total to 3511.
“The Health Ministry does not have any legal provision to prevent Medical Officers from seeking employment in the private sector, including preventing recruitment efforts undertaken by the private sector or registered foreign talent recruitment agencies,” he said in a parliamentary written reply dated July 14.
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