In addition to what HUKM Dr states in HUKM's Cardio Unit - getting to the heart of the matter, I would like to add that there are a few perks of working in the academia which HUKM Dr failed to mentioned.

You get sabbatical leave - I don't know what it is in HUKM but in PPUM, it is five months every three years or nine months every five years. You also get research opportunities not readily available in the Health Ministry. You also don't get transferred here and there unlike your counterparts in the ministry.

But I agree it is stressful not only trying to carry out heavy clinical duties, but also having to do research/pressure to publish, teach students (both under and post-graduate students) and the unending burden of having to organise examinations.

I agree with HUKM Dr that there should be greater incentives to attract quality academic staff in our medical schools. After all, these are the people who are training our next generation of undergraduates and postgraduates. The remuneration has fallen far behind the "market value" and indeed a medical lecturer's salary is now roughly equal to the income of a pharmaceutical company's sales representative!

No surprises that the 'brain drain' continues...