Even waiters paid higher hourly rate than doctors - MMA

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) today expressed its disappointment after the government declined to increase doctors' weekend on-call allowance.

Its president, Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz, regarded the Health Ministry's response - that the current allowance rate is appropriate - as an insult to doctors and healthcare workers.

According to her, doctors are paid RM220 for 24 hours of work (for weekend on-call duty), which translates to RM9.16 an hour.

"Is the government even aware that there are waiters in the country who get paid a higher hourly rate than its doctors?

"Contrary to the government's explanation, the amount is paid for 24 hours of work, excluding the hours that the doctor was not on duty; therefore the RM220 should be divided by 24 hours," she said in a statement.

Azizan (above) was responding to a news report yesterday, saying that the Health Ministry had shot down the association's request for the government to increase doctors' weekend on-call allowance.

The ministry reportedly rejected the call via a letter to MMA two weeks ago, according to FMT, where it also listed a number of other allowances that doctors purportedly enjoy.

However, Azizan claimed that the Health Ministry had cited inaccurate information which created false public perception.

She said entitlement to the various allowances depends on the doctor's position and rank, which means that most doctors would not receive such allowances as the ministry stated.

"From the ministry’s written response to MMA, it appears that the people in the position to make decisions may lack a clear understanding or are missing accurate information needed to decide on the proposed increase.

"If indeed the decision was made without referring to accurate information, we wish to request that the government re-evaluate and reconsider its decision concerning the proposed on-call rate increase," she said.

MMA also reminded the government not to take lightly the frustration among doctors in public healthcare.

"There is concern that on top of the burnout many doctors experience coupled with the low wages earned, issues like the stagnant on-call allowance may spark further frustration and brain drain.

"Doctors in public healthcare have not seen an increase in on-call allowance for over a decade. Taking into consideration inflation, the on-call allowance rate should be reviewed every five years,” said the association president.

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