Over 60% med officers reported for duty in Sabah, Sarawak, says Dr Dzul
Malaysia's Health Minister reported that 63% of medical officers accepted permanent placements in Sabah and Sarawak, marking a slight improvement in retention. The government is implementing new measures, including better relocation allowances and algorithmic placement, to address staffing shortages in rural areas.
Why it matters
Highlights the ongoing challenge of equitable healthcare distribution and workforce retention in rural regions.
KUALA LUMPUR: Just over 60% of medical officers offered permanent appointments in Sabah and Sarawak reported for duty, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
The Health Minister said 337 out of 527 medical officers offered placements in Sarawak reported for duty, while 336 out of 528 in Sabah did so.
“This means that overall, 63% of medical officers reported for duty in Sabah and Sarawak out of the total placements offered,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Oct 8).
Dzulkefly said the figure represented a five-percentage-point improvement in the non-reporting rate compared with 2025, when 42% of medical officers did not report for duty.
He said among the reasons given for rejecting the permanent appointments were being separated from family and not being prepared to relocate and serve in rural areas.
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