'Ship has sunk': Specialist reflects on doctor cousin's move to work in NZ

Summary

• Nephrologist Dr Rafidah Abdullah paints a grim outlook for the future of healthcare after her cousin accepted a job offer in New Zealand.

• She says her cousin was a “diligent and dedicated” doctor but is leaving the Health Ministry without hesitation.

• She adds that the exodus is a sign that the “ship has sunk”.

Dr Rafidah Abdullah, a nephrologist at Putrajaya Hospital, has painted a grim outlook for the future of healthcare after her cousin, also a government doctor, accepted a job offer in New Zealand.

In a Facebook post yesterday titled “Goodbye KKM (Health Ministry)”, she described her cousin as a “diligent and dedicated doctor”.

“She works in the Emergency Department and is about to complete her parallel specialist programme,” she said.

Referring to the now-shelved Waktu Bekerja Berlainan (WBB) shift system proposal, she said: “In the Emergency Department, they work in shifts. Like paramedics, they are now required to work 45 hours (a week). More working hours.

“There was no engagement whatsoever; their views were not even sought before (the new policy) gets implemented.”

When her cousin was offered a registrar position in New Zealand, Rafidah said she accepted it without hesitation.

“Without hesitation, she is leaving the Health Ministry. People are leaving. If this isn’t a sign that the ship has sunk, I don’t know what else to say. 

“She doesn’t lose out, I don’t lose out (because I can travel around). The ones who lose out are the people of Malaysia,” she added.

Govt finding best way forward

Last week, Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said he remains committed to the principles and objectives behind the WBB system for healthcare workers.

“While our doctors are on their on-call duties at unearthly hours, many others are in the comfort of their beds.

“This is not about personal success or failure. It’s about finding the best way forward for the country and, more importantly, our healthcare workers,” he told Free Malaysia Today.

On Jan 17, a Health Ministry town hall session was held, during which healthcare workers voiced strong disagreement over the WBB. 

Some attendees demanded the resignation of Dzulkefly and health director-general Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan, while others advocated for a strike.

The healthcare workers expressed concerns about pay cuts resulting from the new system and its perceived lack of flexibility.

There were also significant worries about the WBB’s potential negative impact on their work-life balance.

‘Doctors generally reject WBB’

On Jan 24, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) said it met with Dzulkefly and other ministry officials to address issues affecting healthcare workers and public healthcare.

MMA president Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira highlighted that one of the key topics discussed was the proposed WBB policy.

“Based on the feedback from our members and other healthcare professionals, MMA provided a comprehensive explanation outlining the concerns and reservations regarding the WBB system.

“In general, public healthcare doctors do not support or agree with its implementation,” he said.

MMA also reiterated its long-standing call for the immediate implementation of an increase in on-call allowance across the board for all doctors serving in public healthcare.

“We emphasised that this increase must be for all doctors and not tied to any particular working system.

“This has been something that doctors in public service have been hoping for since last year and are still hopeful that the government will come through with what was promised,” he added.

Kalwinder said MMA also highlighted the need for transparency in giving permanent posts to contract doctors.

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