MOH opening six-month contract to hire private doctors, nurses

CORONAVIRUS | The Health Ministry (MOH) is working on an effort to get private healthcare practitioners to join their team of frontliners in facing the Covid-19 outbreak, said Health director-general.

Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah told reporters today that they plan to offer six-month contract-based employment for doctors and nurses who are keen to help the country during the pandemic.

"MOH is discussing with the central agency in refining the mechanism of contract-based recruitment for medical professionals who intend to serve with the ministry during the Covid-19 outbreak," he said at a press conference in Putrajaya.

According to him, the ministry is looking for private specialists, as well as medical officers and nurses to fill up the posts.

"Private medical specialists who are willing to help MOH for six months are welcomed to take up the offer.

"(This is) also for medical officers and nurses, as mentioned earlier," he added.

This would be another part of MOH's efforts to beef up its human resources among the frontliners since the Covid-19 outbreak in the country.

Previously, Noor Hisham had announced that the ministry was recalling retired doctors and nurses who are willing to volunteer to assist MOH during the pandemic.

Today, he said the ministry has recruited 2,359 volunteers so far.

They comprise 64 medical specialists in various fields, 159 medical officers, 909 nurses, 220 laboratory technicians, 704 assistant medical officers, 106 X-ray technicians, 56 physiotherapists, 70 science officers (microbiology), seven pharmacists, 44 assistant pharmacists, 11 security and health officers, two psychologist and six counsellors.

"The Health Ministry appreciates the service of the health and medical volunteers from various levels and professions in combating Covid-19.

He also called for more volunteers and those willing can register using forms available on the Health Ministry's official Facebook page.

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