KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has reiterated its stand that it does not condone any walkouts by healthcare professionals, especially at a time when the nation is battling the Covid-19 pandemic.

MMA president Datuk Dr Subramaniam Muniandy reminded medical professionals of their duties and responsibilities where patient care should be the utmost priority in a moment of crisis.

"We have been clear on our stand. MMA does not condone a strike.

"The country's daily new cases of Covid-19 are reaching 16,000 and we have been warned, it may continue to rise further. 

"Our colleagues in public healthcare have made it known to the public that the healthcare system is highly strained and in need of personnel support.

"As medical professionals, patient care should be our highest priority," he told the New Straits Times when commenting on the scheduled "Hartal Doktor Kontrak" nationwide strike on Monday.

The campaign is urging for the promotion of contract doctors into permanent posts, among others.

"Hartal Doktor Kontrak" representative Dr Umar Baraka had earlier today said between 4,000 and 5,000 government contract doctors will stage a walkout on Monday (July 26) at major hospitals nationwide, from 11am onwards and they will not return to work the rest of the day.

This is after they rejected solutions to their contractual predicament as not being in their best interest.

Umar, however, assured that the walkout will be done after the contract doctors had handed over their tasks to their permanent colleagues, without jeopardising patients' care.

On Friday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that the Cabinet had agreed to appoint medical officers, dental officers and pharmacists on a contract basis for two years once they have completed their compulsory service.

"Hartal Doktor Kontrak" however, in a statement said while the government had acknowledged the problem and came up with "rather short-sighted" solutions, they did not address the real issues concerning the contract officers.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/07/711313/mma-does-not-condone-contract-doctors-monday-walkout