Let Doctors Voice Their Frustration Without Threats Says Mma

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Contract doctors and others staged a brief walkout at government hospitals today in protest over the lack of career opportunities.PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Medical Association has expressed concern over the threats allegedly made by authorities to contract health workers who participated or planned to join in the strike held today.
MMA president Dr Subramaniam Muniandy said in a statement that the association did not condone strike action, and noted that the walkout by contract doctors and others was brief and without any reported disruptions to health services.
“It is unfortunate that these workers had to resort to organising a strike in order to be heard,” he said. “We hope all public healthcare workers will be given room to voice out any frustrations they may have with the system without being subject to any form of intimidation.”
Police were present at a number of the demonstrations visited by FMT today.
Contract doctors around the country staged a brief walkout at government hospitals to protest against the contract system, which they say has stifled opportunities for career progression and deprived them of perks offered to their permanent counterparts.
A spokesperson for Hartal Doktor Kontrak at Hospital Kuala Lumpur told FMT that while nobody at their demonstration was arrested, a number of participants had their details taken by the police.
They were informed that they would soon be called in to give their statements.
Yesterday, the legal bureau of the Amanah party said it had prepared a hotline for contract doctors in case they face any action from the authorities. Amanah said some junior doctors had been issued warnings and show-cause letters. “Any doctor or health worker who becomes subject to any action aimed at intimidating them for joining this movement may contact our hotline at 010-4587548,” the bureau said. - FMT

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