Picture source from
Mifid Majnun, Unsplash
My younger brother who is 8 years younger than me and is working as a dentist by contract with the local government. He too is under a dilemma which most medical practitioners such as doctors, dentists and pharmacists are facing - the uncertainty as a medical officer.
In Malaysia, there is a huge supply of medical officers as the medical higher learning institutions sprout more and more in the recent decade hence producing more medical graduates. However the local government has implemented the contract employment (even years before the Covid-19 crisis) as the job openings have not increased proportional to this growth. Thus, housemen are employed on contract basis and will be reviewed every 2 years, uncertain if they can get permanent placements as it is highly competitive. My brother worked really hard to prove his worth and himself together with his wife who is also a dentist on contract. He did a lot of promotional and educating videos and now is also assigned to vaccination centers.
Today he shared on how thick he had to suit up too as a precaution in the current pandemic crisis. But only to find out more patients who had booked an appointment earlier to not turn up, due to various reasons I guess. Maybe it is also due to greater fear and apprehension after our daily cases went beyond 11k yesterday.
It is a tough time for frontliners and most frontliners who are now serving at the frontline are contract doctors. He is currently serving in his local government dental clinic and also at vaccination centers on rotation basis.
Bless the country and nation to look into the welfare and consider them as permanent medical officers in their employment. If it is not because of them, I think our medical system have collapsed long time. Having said that I also know that they have reached their verge. So blessing them with renewed grace everyday and also new strengths. I appreciate the sacrifices of our medical officers and giving thanks for them who are risking their lives.
