A prominent government hospital specialist has called for the resignation of Health Minister Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad, Health Director-General Dr. Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan, and other top Ministry of Health (MOH) officials over what he described as the Ministry’s “systematic neglect” and “bullying” of doctors, particularly regarding the controversial Waktu Bekerja Berlainan (WBB) pilot shift system.
In a statement following the January 17 town hall on the WBB, Dr. Tachdjian, who holds multiple positions within professional medical bodies, expressed deep concern over the Ministry’s handling of the issue, which he believes has further alienated healthcare professionals.
Conflicting Statements and Disrespectful Conduct
Dr. Tachdjian condemned the conflicting statements made by the Ministry regarding the WBB. He noted that despite the circular on the pilot shift system being signed and stamped by an MOH official, indicating a confirmed policy, the Ministry later claimed it was merely a “proposal.” Dr. Tachdjian likened this inconsistency to the MOH’s earlier attempt to mislead the public with a fabricated example of a high-salaried doctor to downplay concerns about medical professionals’ pay.
The specialist also criticized the manner in which the town hall was organized, which took place less than 24 hours after public backlash. He described the move as a poor attempt at engagement, especially since it occurred after the policy had already been decided. Furthermore, Dr. Tachdjian took issue with a remark made by the Health Minister during the town hall, who compared the Director-General to a “Hindustan hero” in a joke that he deemed disrespectful and dismissive of government doctors’ concerns.
Selective Policymaking and Lack of Engagement
Highlighting the ongoing shortage of doctors, as reflected in data from the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), Dr. Tachdjian questioned the rationale behind introducing a policy that would require additional manpower. He raised concerns about the feasibility of the WBB system even if the pilot project proved successful, pointing out that hospitals with excess doctors would only highlight the problem of maldistribution across the healthcare system.
He also criticized the limited engagement with medical officers, claiming that true consultation had not taken place. The absence of input from associations representing doctors further underscored the lack of genuine dialogue on the matter.
Work Hours and Practicality Concerns
The specialist took issue with suggestions for reducing doctors’ workload by introducing a 45-hour work week, arguing that if the MOH is unwilling to compensate for hours worked beyond this, the previous system of 24-hour on-call shifts should be reinstated, with improved compensation.
Dr. Tachdjian also criticized the proposal for 18-hour shifts, arguing that the suggested two-hour rest period within such long shifts was impractical for doctors working in high-demand areas like surgery or obstetrics. He suggested that the policy could be better applied to other government departments, such as those with public service counters.
Hidden Restrictions and Financial Concerns
The specialist raised alarm over hidden clauses within the WBB system, including one that could require doctors to work up to 33 hours straight. He pointed out that the policy could lead to discrepancies in how hours worked are compensated, further underscoring the Ministry’s lack of genuine commitment to reducing doctors’ work hours.
Dr. Tachdjian also criticized the government for its unwillingness to allocate adequate financial resources to improve conditions for healthcare workers. He argued that the Ministry’s failure to offer reasonable on-call compensation, such as increasing on-call claims for doctors across all hospitals, reflects a broader unwillingness to invest in the healthcare system.
Brain Drain and Increased Strain on Public Healthcare
Dr. Tachdjian warned that the WBB policy, combined with ongoing dissatisfaction among doctors, is likely to exacerbate the already concerning trend of brain drain within Malaysia’s healthcare sector. The specialist cautioned that this would lead to longer waiting times for patients, suboptimal care, and potentially even medical errors due to an overstretched workforce.
He concluded by demanding the immediate resignation of Health Minister Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad, Health Director-General Dr. Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan, and other senior MOH officials. Dr. Tachdjian emphasized that the health system requires leaders who are committed to genuine consultation and capable of enacting meaningful change for the benefit of both healthcare professionals and the Malaysian public.
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