Restore the Public Health Workforce First

Selangor PAS Youth says Malaysia should strengthen its public-health workforce before committing the full RM1 billion announced for digitisation.

The investment, announced by the prime minister on Aug. 30, 2026, is expected to expand electronic medical records and improve internet access at 150 hospitals. More than 2,000 health clinics would also be included in the “One Individual, One Record” system, intended to make patient records easier to access.

But the group argues that faster internet and integrated records will not solve a shortage of doctors. Citing a June 2026 statement from the Malaysian Medical Association, it says public hospitals are operating at high capacity while facing a shortfall of almost 11,000 medical specialists. Existing staff, it says, are dealing with burnout, an endless workload and declining service quality.

Its proposals include hardship allowances, better housing and accelerated promotion for doctors working in district hospitals and remote areas. It also wants the government to fully fund international examination fees under the Parallel Pathway, expand Federal Training Awards scholarships, increase master’s training places at public universities and offer permanent positions to eligible contract medical officers.

The group is also calling for a Safe Working Hours policy to limit weekly hours and reduce exhaustion, medical errors and depression. It says funds should improve working facilities, including functioning CT and MRI scanners, complete operating-room equipment and humane on-call rooms. The central argument is that digital systems cannot replace the doctors and physical resources patients need.