No special leave for govt doctors, nurses to serve abroad

KANGAR: Government doctors or nurses should resign if they intend to serve overseas as no special leave is allocated to them for this purpose, says Health Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya.

He said although there were proposals for them to be given special leave for that purpose – to serve as an initiative to upgrade their skills in the field - there was no policy made thereon.

“It would be great if doctors, specialists or nurses serving in the government went abroad to improve their skills, then returned home to serve.

“But for now, the ministry has yet to consider unpaid leave because we do not have enough staff,” he added at an event involving the Hospital Board of Visitors (ALPH) and Perlis Health Clinic Advisory Panel here yesterday.

Dr Hilmi said no doctor or nurse was stopped from going abroad but was proud the services of Malaysian personnel were highly sought-after and in demand, especially in Middle East countries.

Meanwhile, the deputy minister said there were 2,336 ALPH members nationwide liaising between the hospital and the community, whose role was to provide information to the public on the facilities and services provided by hospitals.

“They also explained the challenges faced by hospitals in providing services to the public, whereby, the image and role of the hospital can be enhanced,” he said. - Bernama