Plan To Create 'Super Doctor' Posts

PUTRAJAYA, July 12 (Bernama) -- The government plans to create "super doctor" promotional posts to retain experienced doctors in government hospitals, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said Tuesday.
He said experienced doctors promoted to become directors engaged in administrative matters had been a reason for many resignations.
Dr Chua told a press conference that the plan was in accordance with a suggestion by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to fill vacancies and to get the specialists to remain longer in government hospitals where they were much needed.
He also announced that the government had agreed to increase to 298 the number of promotional posts for doctors and medical specialists up to the year 2010 compared to the current 111 posts.
Apart from increasing the number of promotional posts, the government agreed that medical practitioners and specialists be allowed to serve until 65 years of age to help reduce the number of resignations, he said.
Dr Chua said his ministry had also suggested to the Public Service Department that medical specialists who came back from overseas be given higher ranking positions based on their qualifications and experience.
"The format of the Bahasa Malaysia qualifying exam for medical officers will also be more practical and focus more on the oral aspects," he said.
Dr Chua also said that nurses, paramedics and a number of personnel in the support services who have university degrees will also be promoted to a better grade.-- BERNAMA

It looks like after having "Super Teachers", we will be having "Super Docs" next. The plans announced by Dr Chua should come as a big welcome by the doctors in public service. Will these plans keep them in gomen service is uncertain at the present but they are moves in the right direction. The starting pay for the most junior, the house officers, may go up by RM1000 will provide these doctors a better start in working life in view of the increasig coat of living.
More incentives for the doctors and other paramedical staff can be glimpsed in this STAR article :: Carrots for Doctors.
These changes have been long overdue but are better late than never. There have been many calls in the past for a separate salary commission for doctors and gomen healh staff. This may be the gomen's answer to these requests.