A TOTAL of 3,510 medical officers resigned from their posts, with more than half moving to the private sector, according to the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the departures involved medical officers appointed on permanent and contract terms from 2024 onwards.
“Of those who resigned, 51.4% moved to the private sector, while 36.8% cited personal reasons.”
“Others left to join statutory bodies (4.5%), work or settle overseas (2.9%), address health problems (2.6%), pursue further studies (1.5%) or open their own clinics (0.3%),” he said.
Dzulkefly also said eight medical specialists had resigned or moved abroad.
He was responding to an oral question from V Ganabatirau (PH-Klang) in a written reply published on the Parliament website.
As of June 30, the ministry had 1,660 vacancies for medical specialists and 11,412 for non-specialist medical officers.
At the same time, 6,580 of the 12,198 housemanship training slots at 48 hospitals nationwide were filled, representing an occupancy rate of 54%.
Dzulkefly explained the available capacity was sufficient to accommodate eligible medical graduates entering housemanship, with no graduates currently having to wait for a placement.
To address staffing concerns and improve career prospects for contract medical officers, the ministry is continuing discussions with central agencies, including on plans to offer permanent appointments to 4,500 medical officers this year.
The Public Service Department established a task force in April to examine staffing issues and challenges within the ministry.
Dzulkefly said the ministry was also working with the Higher Education Ministry to ensure the healthcare workforce could meet current needs. - October 22, 2026