Doctors demand answers over delayed e-placement for 2,245 officers

by HIDAYATH HISHAM

THE Health Ministry (MOH) is urged to explain the delay in the reimplementation of the e-placement system involving 2,245 UD10-grade medical officers, which was supposed to reopen yesterday.

The system was terminated on March 6 due to technical issues.

Previously, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad assured that it would be renewed within six to eight weeks starting from March 17, and was expected to be reimplemented earlier this month.

Many medical officers have voiced dissatisfaction over the matter, as the e-placement was supposed to have resumed.

A spokesperson from Hartal Doktor Kontrak claimed that several medical officers had contacted the MOH to obtain clarification, but no clear information was provided, resulting in confusion and disappointment.

The delayed e-placement announcement without any update is causing anxiety among the doctors involved.

“Departments and hospitals also need to be informed early so they can make contingency plans if many doctors are required to leave their current hospitals for new workplaces.

“We hope MOH will expedite this e-placement process and provide early notice, (and) not do it at the last minute,” the spokesperson said.

The delay in the reimplementation of the e-placement system could also affect the process of absorbing contract doctors into permanent positions.

“(This is) something that cannot be ruled out if no immediate solution is taken,” the spokesperson added.

On Feb 27, 2,245 UD10-grade medical officers underwent the e-placement process, but it was cancelled on March 6 due to a technical disruption in the system.

MOH stated that the disruption was caused by unusually high access to the system, with over 19 million hits preventing the database from being accessed.