Kota Kinabalu: State Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib said he is aware of the existing shortage of medical experts in Sabah.
He said his ministry is working closely with the State Health Department (JKNS) and Public Service Department (JPA) to solve the problem.
“My ministry through the State Health Department (JKNS) acknowledges the shortage and the Public Service Department (JPA) is partly to blame,” he said.
James said he had visited hospitals throughout Sabah and found that many medical experts have quit their job.
“When I asked why, they told me because some of these doctors had not received their permanent postings yet.
“The Ministry of Health (MoH) does not have the power to approve the permanent postings for doctors…only JPA can do that,” he said.
“I attended a MoH meeting in Putrajaya recently and discussed the issue. It is a sad situation,” he said during the State Assembly sitting.
He said other reasons for the difficulties in maintaining medical experts in Sabah includes family commitments as some of them are not from here.
However, he said JKNS plans to appoint more medical experts in 11 of the 24 hospitals in Sabah. He said they are also providing them with various incentives to stay in Sabah such as the Bayaran Insentif Penempatan Pakar (BIPP) and Elaun Perumahan Wilayah (EPW).
At the same time, he said medical experts will be given a chance to provide their respective expertise services at private facilities decided by MoH.
He said among the fields of specialisation that the State currently lacks are medical experts in heart and surgeries.
