Health ministry mulls taking contract workers as permanent staff without pensions

The health ministry is holding discussions with the Public Service Department (PSD) on absorbing contract medical personnel to permanent staff without pensions.

Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said this was to deal with the workload that exceeds the capacity of available resources, as well as to reduce the burden of the pension scheme borne by the country, which amounted to RM29.1 billion in 2021.

"We are aware of the burden facing the government with the pension scheme, which in 2011 was worth RM3.1 billion and increased to RM29.1 billion in 2021. 

"So the way out is to absorb contract workers on a permanent basis, but without a pension.

"They will enjoy the same benefits as other permanent workers, such as being eligible for housing loans," she said during the question-and-answer session at the Dewan Negara today.

She was responding to a supplementary question from Jefridin Atan who asked whether the health ministry was considering employing more contract doctors to deal with the workload of health workers.

Zaliha said there had been an increase in cases of non-communicable diseases which in turn led to a rise in the number of in- and out-patients at health facilities, causing overcrowding at hospitals.

"To reduce overcrowding at hospitals, we have implemented a pilot project led by the special task force on public sector reform, which was established under the supervision of the chief secretary to the government.

"The health ministry is also intensifying its digitalisation efforts to reduce the workload of its members, in addition to implementing scheduling practices that can help ensure that members have sufficient rest time between shifts, including giving leave to health workers," she said.