Health Minister Commits to Fair Remuneration for Healthcare Workers
Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad has paid tribute to the country’s healthcare workers and expressed his determination to ensure they are paid fairly for working long hours. In an interview with FMT, he emphasized the importance of recognizing the sacrifices made by healthcare workers, who often work graveyard shifts that few other professions will ever know or experience.
Commitment to Waktu Bekerja Berlainan (WBB) Shift System
Dzulkefly reaffirmed his commitment to the principles and objectives behind the proposed optional WBB shift system for healthcare workers. He acknowledged that the system, which aimed to limit on-call hours for doctors from 33 to 18 hours, was widely criticized for cutting healthcare workers’ allowances by including extended shifts into the standard 45-hour work week.
Addressing Criticisms
Dzulkefly was asked to comment on former Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin’s claim that the WBB system failed to get off the ground due to the disconnect between Putrajaya’s bureaucrats and the realities of medical practice. Dzulkefly responded by saying that Khairy did not seem to understand how WBB was conceived and was supposed to have been implemented, and that it has almost nothing to do with the PTDs (administrative and diplomatic officers).
Limited Resources
Dzulkefly emphasized that the health ministry has limited resources and that undertaking the arduous task of doing the right thing is usually unpopular. He encouraged feedback from all parties, but stressed that it is crucial that these parties understand the health ministry’s limited resources.
Reforming the Healthcare System
Dzulkefly acknowledged that he has a "gargantuan task" ahead of him in reforming the country’s healthcare system. His main aim is to make meaningful changes that not only address current legacy issues but also future-proof them for the generations to come.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring healthcare workers are paid fairly for working long hours. He has also emphasized the importance of understanding the health ministry’s limited resources and the need for meaningful changes to the healthcare system.
FAQs
Q: What is the Waktu Bekerja Berlainan (WBB) shift system?
A: The WBB shift system is a proposed optional shift system for healthcare workers that aimed to limit on-call hours for doctors from 33 to 18 hours.
Q: Why was the WBB system widely criticized?
A: The WBB system was widely criticized for cutting healthcare workers’ allowances by including extended shifts into the standard 45-hour work week.
Q: What is the health minister’s main aim in reforming the healthcare system?
A: The health minister’s main aim is to make meaningful changes that not only address current legacy issues but also future-proof them for the generations to come.