Disparity in doctor-population ratio, says report
Despite Malaysia’s doctor-population ratio exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, former Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad reportedly said the figure does not reflect the reality on the ground.
He said the distribution of doctors throughout the country still needs to be addressed, as some states have only one doctor available for every 1,000 people...
Despite Malaysia’s doctor-population ratio exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, former Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad reportedly said the figure does not reflect the reality on the ground.
He said the distribution of doctors throughout the country still needs to be addressed, as some states have only one doctor available for every 1,000 people.
“The ratio is just the average, but it doesn’t mean it is the reality. If we were to look at it state by state, you’ll find the ratio of doctors to the population in Sabah and Sarawak would be 1:1,000,” Dr Dzulkefly (below) was quoted as saying by the news portal Twentytwo13.
“What is important is that issues of doctors, nurses and health workers being overworked, and departments being understaffed be looked into. The disparity is obvious, especially in remote areas.
“There is too much stress on hospital-based treatment instead of prevention.”
Former Malaysian Medical Association president Dr NKS Tharmaseelan reportedly agreed with Dzulkefly’s assessment.
“Some units or departments in Sabah and Sarawak have just a handful of doctors but you will see so many doctors attached to a similar unit or department in Kuala Lumpur.
“Some departments in the city have over 100 housemen. The learning experience and standard of care are ruined,” he reportedly told Twentytwo13.
Earlier today, Health Minister Dr Adham Baba told the Dewan Rakyat that Malaysia has 71,041 doctors in both public and private sectors, which makes for a doctor-population ratio of one doctor for every 454 people.
This exceeds the WHO’s recommendation ratio of 1:500.
In addition, he said Malaysia has a healthcare worker-population ratio of 1:186, which exceeds the ratio recommended in a WHO report in 2016.
“WHO states that the ratio is necessary to obtain better universal health coverage at the rate of 80 percent for services involving mothers and children, infectious diseases, and non-communicable diseases.
“Malaysia has so far achieved a ratio of one healthcare worker (including trained doctors and nurses) for every 186 people, surpassing WHO’s recommendation to obtain universal health coverage,” he said.
