Contract doctors have slammed the finance minister for a dismal budget, citing that a protest will be held for not addressing their issues.

Under the Hartal Doktor Kontrak movement, a statement was released saying, “The contract doctors’ issues and the problems with our healthcare system, which will affect the future care of Malaysians, were not taken seriously.”

They added the offers given did not make sense and are merely a waste of time.

During the budget, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz announced that 10,000 medical, dental and pharmacy officers under contract will be hired for four years. Additionally, RM 100 million will fund 3,000 medical employees in specialist training.

Angela Usmar argues that some of the budget allocated to other sectors could be used for the contractors.

She said, “RM11.4 billion was designated to empower the Bumiputera community and Islam for 2022. If only half of that budget were given to improve the welfare of the doctors and nursing staff.”

She believes that they have whole-heartedly battled the pandemic at its peak and now it’s time to reward their productive work.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin is also in the bad books for failing to stand up, after having promised to cooperate with the group.

“With this, we from the Hartal Doktor Kontrak movement declare that ‘Hartal Doktor Kontrak 2.0’ will be held as a sign of protest,” they said.

The group in their first protest demanded that they be given a permanent position alongside benefits.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE