Kota Kinabalu: Malaysia's healthcare sector faces a severe doctor shortage that demands a significant restructuring of medical career pathways, warned Sabah Backbenchers Club (BBC) chairman Datuk Masiung Banah (pic).
Citing BIMB Securities Research projections, he noted the nation is expected to face a deficit of more than 13,000 medical specialists by 2030, despite regions such as Sabah and Sarawak nearing the targeted ratio of one doctor per 400 residents.
Masiung urged the Ministry of Health (MOH) to restore permanent posts with consistent salary revisions rather than relying on contract appointments, which he argued should only apply to foreign practitioners.
He said rapid healthcare infrastructure growth is outpacing the production of specialists, while contract terms, poor job flexibility, and lucrative overseas offers are driving local graduates and experienced nurses abroad.
The Kuamut assemblyman hopes the issue will be addressed in the upcoming national Budget and plans to raise the critical healthcare shortage during the Sabah State Legislative Assembly sitting in early November.
