Sabah, Sarawak healthcare workers set to get boost

Eleven immediate measures, including improved incentives, clearer career pathways and greater family support, have been proposed to strengthen the healthcare workforce in Sabah and Sarawak.

Senator Dr R. A. Lingeshwaran said the proposals aimed to make postings in Sabah and Sarawak fairer, more attractive and sustainable.

Under the plan, doctors would serve a standard 24-month term, and those with satisfactory performance could apply for transfers, specialist training or their next placement.

Dr Lingeshwaran said doctors who completed their service and met key performance indicators would also get priority pathways to specialist training.

He also proposed restoring the Regional Incentive Payment based on a percentage of salary instead of a fixed rate, as well as a hardship allowance of at least RM1,000 monthly for rural and remote postings.

He said suitable accommodation should be provided before officers reported for duty and, where government quarters were unavailable, housing allowances should reflect current rental rates.

The Health Ministry should also provide advance payments for relocation expenses, including air tickets, excess baggage and transportation, to prevent newly posted doctors from having to bear thousands of ringgit in upfront costs, he added.

For officers serving a 24-month term, he said, the government should consider periodic return airfares to Peninsular Malaysia.

He said service in Sabah and Sarawak, particularly in rural and remote areas, should come with additional recognition in specialist training applications, scholarships, promotions and placement preferences.

He also proposed a retention incentive for doctors who continued serving beyond the initial 24-month period.

However, he said, financial incentives alone would not resolve workforce shortages.

The Health Ministry would also need to ensure reasonable doctor-patient ratios, manageable on-call duties, access to annual leave and adequate replacement staff.

Family support should include help with school placement, healthcare access, transportation, accommodation and other essential facilities.

The proposal should extend beyond doctors to nurses, pharmacists, dental officers, allied health professionals and other critical personnel, he added.

"The shortage of doctors cannot be addressed in isolation. The entire healthcare team must be adequately staffed," he said.

Dr Lingeshwaran said the government could also introduce an interim package within three months.

"This approach is not simply about compelling doctors to report for duty.

"It is about making service in Sabah and Sarawak fairer, more attractive and sustainable for healthcare professionals," he added.