Malaysia is a country of complexities and adversities. Our government frequently attempts to make changes (hopefully towards improving the country) by coming up with new policies or improving pre-existing ones.

How very unfortunate that these sometimes seem to be a temporary smokescreen to satisfy the public. Of late, our health minister, as well as our prime minister, have been trying hard to offer the medical and civil sector workers some incentives.

Various perks have been mentioned and highlighted by the media, and were subsequently embraced by many. Our government is very good at this - coming up with new policies/ideas/campaigns (in such a short duration of time) without thoroughly weighing the consequences.

In short, implementation is done without any monitoring or any follow?up. This has occurred time and again, occasionally leading our government to admit the failure of several policies.

A recent complaint in a local newspaper indicated that the Health Ministry does not have the appropriate budget now that it has to increase all its doctors' on?call allowances.

On top of this, certain departments at district hospitals were 'told' to provide surgical services for simple procedures on Saturdays up to 1.30pm (a day which has been declared as a public holiday for all civil servants).

Healthcare workers were promised to be paid an undisclosed amount of allowance for these efforts. How is it possible for the Health Ministry to give this extra allowance for the operating team when they cannot even afford to honour their budgetary promises?

It is quite unfortunate for us in the medical field that we cannot enjoy the same perks other civil servants are given. As House Officers, we are told by those senior than us that we are to work every single day including public holidays (for rounds/ward works etc).

We usually cannot claim for our hard work during public holidays unless we were on?call. 'Part of the job requirement and training', they tell us. As Medical Officers we work on overdrive trying to cover all the wards, clinics, operating theatres and daycares.

We usually end up going home late and cannot claim for 'overtime' as this does not exist for the medical profession. Most doctors would love to pursue their areas of interest and specialise. Unfortunately, some would be increasingly disheartened with all the problems and red tape put in our way.

It is time for the Health Ministry and the government to take us seriously. Our community may be a small one but we are absolutely and without doubt, essential for this country.