Medical professional's tribulation unfolds publicly

Medical professional's tribulation unfolds publicly

In a recent turn of events, a public health specialist in Malaysia has been left financially disadvantaged due to a delay in the recognition of their specialist allowance. The specialist, who completed their DrPH and MPH with a scholarship from the public services department (JPA) in early 2021, has been working as a medical officer despite doing specialist work since May 2021.

The specialist's gazettement process, which began in 2021, encountered several hurdles. After two failed attempts, they were given three options: attempt a third gazettement, remain a medical officer without specialist recognition, or resign and seek work elsewhere. Thankfully, with the intervention of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) and appeals that went all the way to the top, the specialist was granted a third attempt. However, the new health ministry policy states that once more than a year has passed, the backdating of allowances is forfeited.

The specialist lost a significant amount due to this delay. RM142,800 in backdated specialist allowances were withheld, equating to RM2,800 for every month that the specialist was blocked from gazettement. This financial loss, coupled with the emotional toll of the prolonged process, has left the specialist feeling demoralized, ashamed, and exhausted.

The specialist's case highlights the need for policy changes in the health ministry. The ministry should make the gazettement process transparent, time-bound, and auditable to prevent such arbitrary delays. Regular convening of specialist committees is also crucial to ensure that allowances aren't arbitrarily delayed.

Moreover, the new health ministry policy aims to protect junior specialists from what the specialist endured. It is essential that the health ministry also ensures the protection of health workers with mental health conditions, not punish them for seeking help. The ministry should allow appeals for cases where delays were systemic or discriminatory, not personal failures.

Leadership at both the federal and state levels should play a proactive role in ensuring fairness and safeguarding the mental well-being of specialists-in-training. State health directors should take greater responsibility in addressing and preventing injustices like the one the specialist experienced.

The specialist welcomes the new health ministry policy on supervised work experience (SWE) allowances. However, they emphasize that the policy change should extend to all specialties and be implemented promptly to prevent similar situations from arising in the future.

[1]: [Link to general labor law changes] [2]: [Link to MSME budget initiatives] [3]: [Link to UK immigration routes] [4]: [Link to Royal Malaysia Police history]

[Note: These links were provided in the original bullet points but they are not related to the topic at hand.]

1. The public health specialist in Malaysia is facing financial distress due to a delay in the recognition of their specialist allowance.
2. The specialist, who completed their DrPH and MPH with a scholarship, has been working as a medical officer while doing specialist work since May 2021.
3. The gazettement process, which began in 2021, encountered several hurdles, resulting in a delayed recognition of the specialist's allowance.
4. After two failed attempts, the specialist was given three options: attempt a third gazettement, remain a medical officer without specialist recognition, or resign and seek work elsewhere.
5. The specialist's emotional health has been significantly impacted by this prolonged process, leaving them feeling demoralized, ashamed, and exhausted.
6. The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) intervened, allowing the specialist a third attempt at gazettement, but the new health ministry policy forfeits backdating of allowances once more than a year has passed.
7. The specialist lost a substantial amount due to this delay, amounting to RM142,800 in backdated specialist allowances.
8. The specialist's case underscores the need for policy changes in the health ministry to prevent arbitrary delays in the gazettement process.
9. Transparency, time-bound processing, and audits could help prevent such delays and protect specialists-in-training from financial loss.
10. Regular convening of specialist committees is also necessary to ensure that allowances aren't arbitrarily delayed.
11. The health ministry should also ensure protection for health workers with mental health conditions, not punish them for seeking help.
12. Leadership at both the federal and state levels should proactively ensure fairness and safeguard the mental well-being of specialists-in-training.
13. State health directors should take greater responsibility in addressing and preventing injustices like the one the specialist experienced.
14. The specialist welcomes the new health ministry policy on supervised work experience (SWE) allowances, but emphasizes that the policy change should extend to all specialties.
15. To prevent similar situations from arising in the future, prompt implementation of the policy change is essential.
16. Mental health, workplace wellness, and diversity and inclusion are crucial factors in career development and personal growth, and should be prioritized in business, careers, personal finance, saving, debt management, budgeting, education, and self-development.

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