Malaysian health unions have recommended that state governments implement a RM10,000 financial package to motivate medical professionals from Peninsular Malaysia and other regions to work in Sabah and Sarawak, where persistent staffing shortages persist. The proposal, presented by Ajulahin Japin, the president of the Council of Unions’ Presidents and Secretary-General under the Ministry of Health Malaysia (Mapsu), breaks down into two payments: RM5,000 upon starting their post to assist with relocation and initial expenses, and another RM5,000 after three years of service. This initiative seeks to boost the appeal of assignments in the two states while maintaining healthcare accessibility, especially in underserved rural and remote areas dependent on public health services.
Speaking on Wednesday (Oct 14), Ajulahin, who also leads the Sabah Medical Services Union, highlighted that doctors often weigh relocation expenses, living conditions, and logistical hurdles when evaluating transfers to Sabah and Sarawak. He emphasized that the shortage in Sabah stems not only from insufficient medical graduates overall but also from reluctance among qualified professionals to serve there. While describing the incentive as a temporary solution, he suggested the program could be phased out once local medical graduates in Sabah and Sarawak sufficiently meet regional workforce demands.
Ajulahin further called on the Public Service Department (JPA) to reassess pension benefits and the Regional Incentive Allowance (BIW), noting that compensation and long-term security play critical roles in doctors’ decisions to accept postings. Mapsu stressed that monetary incentives alone cannot resolve the crisis, advocating for state health departments to provide reliable housing, transportation, and essential support for transferred medical staff. The union argued that addressing the doctor shortage requires a multi-faceted strategy, combining financial rewards with improved living conditions, infrastructure, and working environments to guarantee fair healthcare access across all regions.
Mapsu urged the Sabah and Sarawak state governments, the Health Ministry, and the Public Service Department (JPA) to carefully evaluate the proposal and collaborate on swift, actionable solutions benefiting both healthcare providers and residents. The union warned that unresolved staffing gaps have led to prolonged wait times at outpatient clinics. Ajulahin pointed to Ranau Hospital in Sabah, where a single physician manages nearly 200 daily outpatient cases while the 24-hour emergency unit operates with just two doctors handling 80 to 100 patients, a workload that, even with assistant medical officers, strains resources. He showed that such conditions directly impact the welfare of Sabahans, urging the elected state government to adopt the union’s recommendations.
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