‘Redeployment of doctors must be done strategically’

KUCHING (Dec 9): The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) views the government’s intention of enhancing the frontline healthcare delivery by redeploying doctors from the Health Ministry (MoH) headquarters to hospitals and clinics.

According to MMA president Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo, optimising manpower and strengthening the service points for them to be closer to the people are regarded as a national priority.

“However, the issue must not be oversimplified.

“While some roles at the headquarters may indeed be better deployed to service facilities, many HQ functions remain essential to the health system’s stability, including public health planning, clinical governance, training, digital health, quality and safety oversight, as well as long-term policy development.

“Redeployment must therefore be done strategically, not uniformly,” he said in a press statement on Tuesday.

Dr Thirunavukarasu also highlighted the importance of recognising that some doctors at the headquarters might not have been in active in their clinical practice.

“Asking them to suddenly assume clinical responsibilities is not a straightforward solution.

“Proper matching of competencies, appropriate reorientation, and clear identification of the clinical areas where they will be tasked with supporting are required to ensure patient’s safety and service continuity.

“Redeployment is not just relocation; it is a clinical and operational responsibility that must be executed with care,” he elaborated.

Dr Thirunavukarasu also said equally, MMA believed that the same principles must apply to any doctors deployed from hospitals or clinics to headquarters functions.

“Such reverse placements also require proper competency matching and clear communication to ensure that both service and policy roles remain well-staffed and effective.

“To maintain public confidence, MMA believes that any redistribution of medical manpower must be transparent and made public,” he said.

Dr Thirunavukarasu also said clear communication over the categories of doctors involved, the selection criteria, and the planned areas of deployment could help avoid misunderstanding or oversimplification.

Transparency would also ensure accountability in strengthening the system where it would matter most, he added.

“To further support flexible workforce deployment, MMA encourages MoH to consider expanding the ‘Pertukaran Suka Sama Suka’ (Mutual-Interest Exchange) model – currently available to nurses, to include doctors as well.

“Voluntary mutual exchanges may help ease staffing pressures while improving morale and placement satisfaction,” he added.

Dr Thirunavukarasu said Malaysia’s long-standing workforce challenges could not be resolved by redeployment alone.

“A sustainable, data-driven health workforce strategy covering primary care, critical specialties, training pathways, and retention, remains essential as demand rises and care becomes increasingly complex.

“The MMA stands ready to collaborate with MoH to ensure that reforms are practical, evidence-based and aligned with global best practices.

“Our priority is clear: strengthen the frontline, protect system functions, and ensure that every decision ultimately enhances the care received by the people.”

On Sunday, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar announced measures to implement a people-centric service agenda within the MoH.

He was quoted by Bernama as saying that an earlier review revealed a significant number of specialist doctors were stationed at the ministry’s headquarters rather than serving in hospitals and clinics where their expertise was crucially needed.

“Therefore, we are implementing what we call people-centric services.

“Those at the headquarters are being mobilised back to hospitals and clinics,” said Shamsul Azri.