2025 New Year

2025: When New Year’s Resolutions Meet Old Health Care Conundrums!

New Year, same ol' issues! As 2025 rolls in, Dr. Timothy Cheng reveals why our government doctors are still facing challenges like on-call allowances and permanent positions. Let's dive in!

As 2025 dawns, a new chapter begins in the healthcare sector of Malaysia.

However, as Dr. Timothy Cheng poignantly points out, this New Year does not necessarily bring new solutions for our dedicated government doctors. Issues lingering from previous years, such as the criteria for permanent positions in the civil service and the contentious on-call allowance, remain unresolved. The ongoing struggles with manpower distribution mean that many healthcare workers find themselves overworked and underappreciated, leading to difficult working conditions that ultimately affect patient care.

An important aspect of this discussion is the growing need for transparency and fairness in the recruitment and promotion processes for medical professionals. Dr. Cheng emphasizes that clarity in job roles and responsibilities could alleviate some of the frustrations felt by those in service, along with a consistent follow-through on promised benefits. Without addressing these longstanding issues, we risk losing valuable talent in the medical field, as professionals seek opportunities abroad where conditions may be more favorable.

For 2025 to be a truly transformative year for Malaysian healthcare, it seems imperative that decision-makers take a hard look at these issues and engage in meaningful dialogue with doctors and healthcare workers. Gauging their experiences and suggestions could pave the way for innovative resolutions and a more harmonious work environment in the years to come.

Did you know that while many countries face similar healthcare workforce issues, Malaysia's doctor-to-population ratio has significantly improved over the years? Furthermore, Malaysia is ranked high in global healthcare accessibility but isn’t quite hitting the mark for healthcare worker satisfaction. Eager to transform these obstacles into stepping stones, our government must harness every opportunity in 2025 to enhance the system for both our doctors and patients alike!

As much as we all love celebrating the New Year with fireworks and festive resolutions, it would be refreshing to see some fireworks for our health sector as well. No more pretending that the issues will resolve themselves; let’s tackle them head-on in 2025!