PRIVATE DOCTORS CAN SERVE AT GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- Medical officers and specialists in the
private sector can now serve at government hospitals and clinics without having
to quit their jobs, Health Director-General Dr Ismail Merican said Monday.

He said the ministry had posted an advertisement on its website offering
jobs to medical officers and specialists in the private sector to work in
government hospitals and clinics either on contract, seasonal, locum or elective
surgery.

"They can serve at government hospitals without having to quit their present
jobs in the private sector, " he told reporters after opening the Health
Ministry-Academy of Medicine of Malaysia 8th scientific meeting here Monday.

He said such an offer was made before but the response from the private
doctors was lukewarm because of several factors, including salary, but that the
situation had changed and the government was now offering them an attractive
salary.

Through these incentives, he said the ministry was hoping to attract 25,000
medical officers and specialists from the private sector to take up jobs in
government hospitals and clinics to overcome the current shortage of 50,000
doctors.

Those keen to take up the offer could download the application form from the
ministry's website at http://www.moh.gov.my.

In another development, Dr Ismail said the ministry had set up a special
team to conduct a study on the increase in fatality due to Influenza A H1N1
involving babies and children. (US$1=RM3.50)
-- BERNAMA