KUALA LUMPUR: In a significant move to strengthen the nation's healthcare system, the Health Ministry has approved the permanent appointment of 1,912 reserve candidates.
In a statement today, the ministry said this intake would comprise 1,226 medical officers, 470 pharmacy officers, and 216 dental officers.
These appointments are to fill the vacancies in the country's healthcare sector, and are in line with the approval from the Public Services Commission on Sept 25 and 26.
"Permanent appointment offers and the acceptance of offers by reserve candidates are being conducted through the Public Service Commission's appointment offer system within a 21-day period starting Oct 2, 2023.
"As in previous procedures, to ensure transparency in implementation, all candidates are given the autonomy to select their placements online through the e-placement system, namely the e-housemen system for medical officers, the e-dentist system for dental officers, and the e-pharmacist system for pharmacy officers."
The ministry however said reserve candidates must act within the stipulated time to select their preferred placements, or risk having their appointment offers being forfeited.
However, as vacancies in the Klang Valley are limited, the Health Ministry said officers, including couples should explore placements outside the Klang Valley including placements in rural areas of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak.
"Selecting placements outside the Klang Valley also offers advantages in terms of cost of living, as officers may receive incentives and gain different work experiences."
Reserve candidates would be informed of their placements starting Nov 14, and the date of appointment for reserve candidates would take effect on their reporting date on Dec 18, 2023.
The ministry said however, any candidate would be allowed to defer their placement by applying to their new department heads, but would remain as contract staff during their deferment period.