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Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong on the incentives for doctors in government service. 19.10.2000.

Many countries experience shortage of doctors, nurses and other health personnel. As countries develop, they face more shortages. Indeed, health is a bottomless pit.

For many years, I have spoken on health matters in Parliament. As the health service faces more problems, I have called for a Commission of Inquiry into the service. However, the Health Ministry has been reluctant to do so.

In May 2000, Health Minister Datuk Chua Jui Meng said that there was a shortage of 700 doctors, particularly in rural areas. Then, the director-general Tan Sri Abu Bakar Suleiman mentioned that there were between 200 and 300 foreign doctors, mostly from India and Pakistan, serving in Malaysia.

Throughout history, there has been movement of doctors from one country to another and from the public to the private sector. It is difficult for the public sector to pay more than the private sector. On the other hand, there have always been doctors who stay in public service for other things than financial incentives. They seek fulfillment in non-financial matters. That does not mean that they should not be paid better.

Deputy Health Minister Dato' Seri Suleiman Mohamed told Parliament yesterday that among the incentives given to doctors were:

A specialist allowance of between RM1,200 to RM2,400; critical services incentive allowance which is 5% of the basic salary; a working allowance outside normal working hours between RM15 to RM90 a day; a public health services incentive payment between RM840 to RM1,860 a month; a hospital administration incentive payment between RM840 to RM1,680 a month; a fixed housing payment between RM165 to RM2,500 and a top management group special incentive payment between RM400 to RM1,250.

Other benefits include housing and car loans at 4% interest; the maximum computer loan of RM5,000; the maximum sports and recreation clubs membership of RM3,000; quarters facilities, medical benefits for parents and leave without pay.

We hope that the Ministry ensures that it gives out these incentives as fairly as possible. It should try its best to avoid any form of injustice.

Granted, the Ministry faces endless problems in matters such as posting of doctors. Some doctors may go to any length to get the preferred posting. Nevertheless, there have been cases of injustice in posting, promotions and awards of scholarships and other incentives.

The Ministry should be more caring, seeking ways to improve its image and to adopt just practices. If it follows definite criteria as fairly as possible, doctors will have to accept them. In fact, there cannot be so many extraordinary circumstances to justify bending the rules.

There is a gap between those who go for public health and those who opt for other specialties. The former tends to be administrators. What is the Ministry doing to narrow the gap?

I believe that the Ministry shows signs of mediocrity, feudal mentality and bloody-mindedness in some aspects. I hope it will investigate the various shortcomings so that the health sector can play its part meaningfully in the Vision Development Policy that will be presented in Parliament in April 2000.

Malaysia spends about RM5 billion a year out of a national budget of RM78 billion. Let us use the allocation effectively.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw