About 2,000 new healthcare workers needed

The Health Ministry has requested an additional 1,899 contract medical officers to be appointed to the public healthcare system to face the Covid-19 pandemic, says Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.

The Health Minister said the latest developments in Kedah, Sabah and Selangor showed that additional medical officers were required.

“The ministry submitted a request to the Public Services Commission and the Finance Ministry to appoint a total of 1,899 medical officers on contract for the purpose of supporting the healthcare services during the Covid-19 pandemic period," he said in a statement on Monday (Oct 12).

Dr Adham also said that the ministry had earlier beefed up efforts to manage the increasing numbers of Covid-19 cases.

He said the ministry had taken several measures, such as mobilising medical personnel from certain states and health facilities to states and facilities low in resources.

He also said that the additional support staff the ministry had requested included research officers, nurses and laboratory technicians.

He said the request was submitted on Oct 9, in line with government approval under the Prihatin Economic Stimulus Package for the Health Ministry to increase the number of medical officers on a contract basis.

He also said that in addition to health facilities such as hospitals and clinics, additional medical officers will also be sent to quarantine centres across the country.

“They will also be deployed at the country's entry points such as Kuala Lumpur International Airport to ensure access can be managed more smoothly and efficiently," he said.

Content credit to:

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/10/12/about-2000-new-healthcare-workers-needed-stat?