IPOH: Some 30 government contract doctors from Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital (HRPB) here joined the Hartal Doktor Kontrak (HDK) strike today.
Clad in black, they gathered at the hospital's lobby before walking out of the building and into the emergency unit at 11.30am.
They walked for about 200 metres while holding their phones, displaying the HDK poster.
However, they refused to talk to the media which gathered there since 10.30am today. Police were also present at the hospital.
It was earlier reported that between 4,000 to 5,000 government contract doctors would stage a walkout today.
This was after they rejected solutions to their contractual predicament as not being in their best interest.
HDK representative Dr Umar Baraka had said medical officers from the public sector will stage a walkout from their workplaces, at major hospitals nationwide, from 11am onwards and not return to work the rest of the day.
On Friday, the Prime Minister in a statement said contract-appointed medical officers, dental officers, and pharmacists will be offered an additional two-year contract after completing their mandatory working period.
This, said Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, was part of the Cabinet's immediate solutions to ensure continuity of service and preparations for specialist studies for contract healthcare workers.