I welcome the director general of health's recent announcement that the ministry has proposed to set up a Medical Service Commission (MSC) catering specifically for healthcare professionals and staff.

It is indeed a timely proposal that ought to be given high priority by the central agencies of the government. Healthcare professionals and workers provide essential and somewhat unique services to the public and they rightly deserved to be governed by a separate body.

The proposal to set up a MSC is timely and will go a long way in further improving and contributing towards the healthcare services in government and private sectors.

This will also be a national recognition of sorts for our healthcare professionals, who have been working hard to provide the best care, despite the many constraints and risks they face daily, especially in major disease outbreaks like the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic.

It is also heartening to learn of the health ministry's assurance that it will continue to provide the best healthcare to the public despite the lack of trained manpower, especially doctors and specialists, throughout the country.

This speaks volumes of the kind of commitment and dedication the ministry places in its effort to improve its services to the public.