The health ministry has 13,072 vacant doctor positions, including 1,660 specialist posts and 11,412 non-specialist positions, as of June 30, according to health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad.
Between 2024 and 2026, 3,510 medical officers resigned, with 1,252 being permanent and 2,258 contract doctors.
Of those who resigned, 51.4% left for the private sector, while 36.8% cited personal reasons, and 4.5% joined statutory bodies.
Dzulkefly Ahmad also stated that eight medical specialists had resigned or migrated overseas, and the ministry had appointed 14,064 permanent and 9,847 contract medical officers during the same period.
To address staffing shortages, 4,500 contract doctors were offered permanent appointments this year, and a task force established by the public services department in April is looking into staffing issues.
The ministry has been given greater authority to manage and distribute approved positions to speed up recruitment, and six government hospitals have met a target of treating at least 70% of non-emergency patients within two hours.
Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh recorded the highest rate, with 98.61% of green zone patients treated within two hours, followed by Ampang Hospital, Selayang Hospital, Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital, and Kuala Lumpur Hospital.
Additionally, there was a 9% reduction in patient attendance at six major hospitals following the extension of operating hours at selected government health clinics, which now operate until 9pm on weekdays and from 8am to 1pm on weekends and public holidays.
The extended hours have helped divert patients with minor ailments from hospital emergency departments, and all eight initiatives under the special task force on agency reform to reduce hospital overcrowding have been fully implemented as of June.
The health minister’s statement indicates that the ministry is taking steps to address the issue of vacant doctor positions and reduce hospital overcrowding.
The task force established by the public services department is examining the staffing issues, and the ministry’s efforts to manage and distribute approved positions are aimed at speeding up recruitment.
It is clear that the ministry is working to improve the healthcare system, and the implementation of the eight initiatives under the special task force on agency reform is a significant step towards reducing hospital overcrowding.
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