Politics · Malaysia Bureau
Malaysia's Sabah and Sarawak struggle with medical officer recruitment
Just 63 per cent of newly posted medical officers have reported for duty in Malaysia's two largest states, raising concerns about healthcare staffing in the east Malaysian regions. Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad confirmed the figures during a parliamentary session.
LSN Malaysia ·
A total of 673 medical officers have commenced work across Sabah and Sarawak following recent postings, though this represents less than two-thirds of those offered positions, according to Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad. In Sarawak, 337 of 527 medical officers reported for duty, while in Sabah, 336 of 528 accepted officers presented themselves for work. The figures highlight persistent challenges in deploying healthcare professionals to Malaysia's larger states, which face geographical and infrastructural obstacles compared to peninsular regions. The shortfall in medical officer presence could strain existing healthcare services in both states, which serve millions of residents across vast territories. The ministry has not publicly disclosed reasons for the no-shows or outlined plans to address the recruitment gap in its east Malaysian operations.