Budget 2027: Contract Doctor Issue to Be Resolved, Over 9,000 to Receive Permanent Appointments

KUALA LUMPUR: The long-standing issue involving contract medical officers is set to be resolved following the government’s announcement that all doctors who complete their housemanship training will be offered permanent appointments.

The announcement was made by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim while tabling the Supply Bill (2027) in the Dewan Rakyat on Friday.

According to Anwar, more than 9,000 contract doctors will be offered permanent positions in 2027 alone.

“I am pleased to announce that the contract doctor issue will finally be resolved. Since 2023, the MADANI Government has permanently appointed more than 15,000 contract doctors, including 4,000 this year. In 2027, more than 9,000 contract doctors will be offered permanent positions.

“This means that, moving forward, doctors who complete their housemanship training will be offered permanent appointments as medical officers,” he said while presenting the Fifth MADANI Budget in Parliament today.

The comprehensive move to absorb contract doctors into permanent positions follows an increase in the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) allocation to RM47.7 billion for next year, compared with RM46.5 billion previously.

Apart from addressing doctors’ employment status, the welfare of other frontline healthcare workers will also receive attention, with the Post-Basic Incentive Payment for 47,000 paramedics and nurses increasing from RM100 to RM200 per month.

The government will also increase the Air Medical Service Incentive Payment in recognition of healthcare personnel’s sacrifices, following the Flying Doctor Service helicopter crash in Long Lellang.

To address overcrowding at public healthcare facilities, the MOH has allocated RM200 million to outsource patient treatment to private hospitals, including the use of operating theatres, while expanding a more flexible appointment scheme for retired medical specialists.

AWANI