Health Ministry warned over medical officer oversupply projections in rural Sarawak
The Malaysian Health Ministry’s (MoH) projection of an oversupply of medical officers from 2026 to 2030 has raised concerns for healthcare services in the country, particularly in rural areas of Sarawak. Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Dr Annuar Rapaee, has called for a review of the projection, taking into account the demand for healthcare services and Malaysia’s ageing society.
Dr Annuar questioned whether the MoH had considered the distribution of doctors in Sarawak, highlighting the significant difference between urban and rural areas in terms of doctor-to-population ratios. He cited some towns with ratios of one doctor to 600, 800, or even 1,200 or 2,000 people, and many clinics in Sarawak without doctors.
The concerns follow a report by health portal CodeBlue, stating that the Public Service Department (JPA) had dropped scholarships in medicine this year due to projections of an oversupply of medical officers in less than five years. The report cited a 2019 MoH study, conducted before the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, which projected an oversupply of medical officers from 2026 to 2030.
Dr Annuar argued that the MoH should base its projection on the reality of the situation, not just figures. He also pointed out the increasing demand for healthcare services due to an ageing population and the possibility of future pandemics.
Regarding the JPA’s decision to drop scholarships in medicine, Dr Annuar expressed concerns that this would deprive students from poor backgrounds of the opportunity to study medicine. He praised the Sarawak state government, led by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, for continuing to provide scholarships for eligible students keen to study medicine.
Dr Annuar suggested that the JPA should stop sending students overseas to study medicine, as there are more than 30 medical schools in the country and the depreciating ringgit has made it more expensive to send students abroad. Instead, he proposed that funds should be reserved for postgraduate specialist skill training.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has assured that the JPA will continue to offer scholarships for students pursuing studies in medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy. He revealed that he had held a special meeting with the JPA last week and was told that the stopping of scholarships was a “previous policy.” Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa also stated that the MoE is prepared to review its 2019 study projecting an oversupply of medical officers from 2026 to 2030.
