374 medical specialist posts still vacant

A total of 374 medical specialist posts are still vacant as compared to the 4,868 posts that were created.

Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said that at present, the number of posts was filled by as many as 4,494 people or 92.3% as of 31 October.

He said the ministry was working to increase the number of medical specialists by continuing sponsorship programmes or Federal Trainee Gifts for specialist graduate studies by increasing the number of sponsored persons from 800 to 1000 officers a year since last year.

He said the ministry also reappointed medical specialists whose contract was terminated or those who have retired in accordance.

"To improve the services of specialist doctors in Sabah and Sarawak, the ministry had to extend the deployment of specialist medical officers from a minimum of six months to one year," he said.

Dr Hilmi said a total of 26,300 medical trainees had been offered to serve the government since 2010 until September 2016.