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PETALING JAYA: The Ministry of Health has requested the appointment of 1,899 additional contracted physicians for the public health system to face the Covid-19 pandemic, says Datuk Seri Dr. Adham Baba.
The Health Minister said that recent events in Kedah, Sabah and Selangor showed that additional medical officers were needed.
“The ministry submitted a request to the Public Services Commission and the Ministry of Finance to name a total of 1,899 contracted physicians in order to support health services during the period of the Covid-19 pandemic,” it said in a statement on Monday (October 12).
Dr. Adham also said that the ministry had previously stepped up efforts to handle the growing number of Covid-19 cases.
He said the ministry had taken several steps, such as mobilizing medical personnel from certain states and health facilities to under-resourced states and facilities.
He also said that the additional support staff requested by the ministry included research officers, nurses and laboratory technicians.
He said the request was submitted on October 9, in line with the government’s approval under the Prihatin Economic Stimulus Package for the Health Ministry to increase the number of contract medical officers.
He also said that in addition to health facilities like hospitals and clinics, additional medical officers will also be sent to quarantine centers across the country.
“They will also be deployed at the country’s entry points, such as Kuala Lumpur International Airport, to ensure that access can be managed more seamlessly and efficiently,” he said.
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