BAGAN DATUK: The Public Service Department (PSD) must review the salary scheme for medical officers (doctors and nurses) in order to retain talent in Malaysia.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this is paramount due to a number of medical officers migrating abroad for higher salaries.
“It is time for PSD to review its salary scheme to prevent a ‘brain drain’ situation in the country.
“The country has spent a lot on them in order to give the best services to the people here as well as to improve their skills. (But) unfortunately, many of them have migrated to other countries in search of higher pay,” he said.
"We do not want to lose our expertise here anymore because the country has spent a lot in term of training and education,” he said.
Zahid, who is also Bagan Datuk Member of Parliament, was speaking after launching the national-level Community College Dental Health Programme at Sekolah Menengah Sains Bagan Datuk, here today.
Also present was Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya.
He said Malaysia has a huge potential in terms of health tourism and is now part of an important agendas for the Tourism and Culture Ministry.
"This is because the facilities and services provided here are far cheaper and considered as the best in the Southeast Asia," he said.
Zahid added that he hoped PSD would come up with solutions and measures soon to resolve the matter.