Strike threat fails to materialise but fears remain

KUCHING: Disgruntled contract doctors did not go on strike, as widely expected, at any of the public healthcare facilities throughout the country Monday.
Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai confirmed this in a statement but in the same breath said the issue of public fear needs to be addressed.
He said the MMA has been receiving calls from the public asking if public health care facilities are operating as usual today and the association assured them that they indeed are.
“But we hope that the Health Ministry through more frequent messaging through press statements and social media updates will allay these fears and reassure the public that all public health care services are being provided without any disruptions,” he said.
“Messages on the issue causing panic and fear are also being spread on social media. This too needs to be countered with the right messaging from the authorities,” he added.
He also advised the public to verify information they receive and only trust reliable and credible sources for any news or updates.
It has been reported that a group of government doctors planned the strike from April 3 to 5, claiming more than 8,000 contract doctors would be striking to protest “unfair system” and “low wages”
On the Mogok Doktor Malaysia Instagram page, the group said contract doctors will go on strike by taking medical or emergency leave as a protest against the unfair treatment.
However, they said they did not encourage demonstrations or flash mobs.
The group wants the ministry to grant all contract medical officers permanent posts and an increase in the on-call rate.