A total of 6,036 medical officers and 890 specialist doctors at the health ministry resigned from service between 2018 and 2022, the Dewan Negara was told today.
Deputy health minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni also said 1,651 pharmacists at the ministry quit their jobs during the same period.
Among the reasons they cited were joining the private sector and statutory bodies, opening their own clinics or pharmacies, and accepting offers to become lecturers in public and private educational institutions.
In a Bernama report, Lukanisman said other factors included further studies, health problems, migrating, and personal reasons.
“The health ministry is also aware that some resignations are due to the work environment,” he said during the question-and-answer session.
Lukanisman said there were cases where medical officers resigned as they felt bullied while on duty or due to work pressure, adding that the ministry is looking for solutions to address the bullying.
He also said the ministry “cannot prevent them from migrating for better income and a more conducive work environment”.
He was responding to a question from Nasir Hashim, who wanted to know why medical doctors and pharmacists were leaving government service. – FMT