Lok Sabha: Nearly 400 doctors failed to register in Sabah, Sarawak

KUALA LUMPUR, 8 Oct: A total of 382 medical officers failed to report for fixed placements offered in Sabah and Sarawak as of 7 October.

Health Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said that out of the total, 190 medical officers did not report in Sarawak, while 192 were in Sabah.

According to him, a total of 337 out of 527 medical officers offered placement in Sarawak have reported themselves, while Sabah recorded 336 out of 528 officers.

"Overall, the percentage of medical officers reporting in Sabah and Sarawak is 63 percent of the total placements offered.

"Although it's a slightly better comparison compared to 2020 to 2025, which is 42 per cent failing to report, this time the rate fell by five per cent.

"I don't feel comfortable with the performance, but it shows a little improvement", he said.

He said this while answering a question from Suhaizan Kaiat (Pakatan Harapan - Pulai) on the actual number of medical officers who failed to report in Sabah and Sarawak as well as the causes and measures to address the problem at the Dewan Rakyat session, today.

Dzulkefly explains that among the main factors medical officers rejecting placement were being away from family, not willing to serve in rural areas and more interested in serving in urban health facilities.

In addition, he said, there were officials who were concerned about career development opportunities, including further specialization if deployed in rural Sabah and Sarawak.

"Other factors include the need to care for parents or family members, health problems, logistical constraints and high transfer costs", he said. - TVS.