KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) is hopeful that newly appointed Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin would be able to resolve problems affecting the profession and healthcare ecosystem.
Its president Datuk Dr M. Subramaniam said the association also hopes that the minister will find a permanent solution to the existing contract doctors issue within the first 100 days of taking office.
He said MMA has high expectations of him and looks forward to fresh, new and innovative ideas under his leadership.
"Having proved his capabilities in leading other ministries, we are hopeful that he will address the contract to permanent positions issue for doctors and immediately set up of a health commission to steer Malaysia out of the Covid-19 pandemic," he said in a statement today.
Dr Subramaniam said, as a minister, Khairy had proved himself as a capable leader in the Youth and Sports and the Science Technology and Innovation ministries, and had executed the National Covid-19 Immunisation Program to its best.
"The Health Ministry is the most important ministry at this point as we continue to grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic and a good leadership is vital to make sure the nation comes out of it faster and stronger," he said.
He added that the association also looks forward to greater recognition of primary care roles in the healthcare ecosystem, as well as more public-private cooperation in management of healthcare sectors.