Health Ministry To Get More Staff In Stages Says Psd

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PUTRAJAYA: The Government has approved the Health Ministry’s request for additional staff to fill up a shortage at its hospitals and clinics, says Datuk Mohd Khairul Adib Abd Rahman (pic)
The Public Service Department director-general said it had given the green light for an additional 10,675 staff members, which include doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and other medical officers
“For a start, we have approved 385 staff members for the new Rembau Hospital. The balance of staff will be assigned in stages,” he told a press conference after a meeting with the Health Ministry on Monday (Dec 2)
Also present was the ministry's secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Chen Chaw Ming
Khairul said the new recruitment would not affect the government’s plan to reduce the size of the civil service
“The additional staff for the ministry was considered due to necessity. But we will still proceed with our plan to trim the civil service by 5% in the next three years
“It will be a challenge because of the growing size of the population. This is all about optimising our human resources and increasing efficiency in our service to the people,” he said, adding that other ministries had also made special requests for additional staff
Chen thanked the government for approving its request
“Although we would have wanted more staff, we are aware of the government’s position
“These 10,675 staff members are crucial to address the shortage that we are facing,” said Chen
Following the government’s decision to control the size of the civil service, it has implemented a freeze on new recruitments
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said if the size was not controlled, it would cause the government’s operating expenditure to soar, which in turn would hamper development.- Star

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