THE Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has renewed its call for the establishment of a health service commission following the government’s recent announcement of a 7% to 15% salary increase for civil servants under the new Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA).

MMA president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz acknowledged the pay rise as a positive step but emphasised the need for overdue reforms to ensure a sustainable and high-quality healthcare system.

A health service commission, separate from the public services department, remains essential to effectively manage the employment and welfare of healthcare professionals in the civil service.

Moreover, Dr Azizan stressed that the proposed commission should have the authority to oversee the placement, salary scales, and working conditions of healthcare professionals. This would help ensure that their remuneration and benefits remain competitive with market standards.

Regular, independent reviews would help maintain a fair and equitable system that attracts and retains top talent in the healthcare field.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement last Friday (Aug 16) outlined that civil servants in top management positions would receive a 7% wage increase, while those categorised as implementers, managers and professionals would see a 15% pay hike.

Given the country’s challenging economic situation, these increments will be implemented in phases and will only apply to civil servants who opt for the SSPA scheme.

Earlier in March, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad stated that the government was in the final stages of studying the proposal for a health service commission.

He assured the medical community that the proposal was being taken seriously and would be referred to the Cabinet for consideration. The establishment of a health service commission was one of the pledges made by Pakatan Harapan in its manifesto during the last general election. - Aug 21, 2024

https://focusmalaysia.my/mma-urges-health-service-commission-amid-civil-servant-pay-hike/