No doctors on strike in Johor, says exco

There were no rallies or demonstrations at public health facilities in Johor today, following the announcement by a group of contract doctors who said they would go on strike until April 5. 

State health and unity committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said monitoring at government health facilities since this morning found that patient care services at health clinics and hospitals, and all scheduled elective procedures, were running smoothly as usual.

He said there was no unusual congestion at state public health facilities, and that the number of medical officers absent from duty or on vacation was under control.

"Continuous monitoring is carried out by all heads of responsibility centres to ensure that the delivery of health services to patients, whether at clinics or hospitals in the state, runs smoothly.

"All problems must have a solution, but going on strike is not the answer.

"I would like to thank the contract doctors in Johor for not getting involved in the planned strike for three days, and continuing to offer the best service to all patients," he said in a statement.

He said as a representative of the state government, he was open to hearing the complaints of contract doctors so that he could convey the wishes of the group to the ministry, even though the matter was not under the purview of the state government.

Ling also proposed that the Cabinet establish a high-level committee, combining several ministries and agencies, including the chief secretary to the government, to address the issue.