Health Minister Warns Healthcare Workers Against Striking, Urges Parties to Speak Out on Issues

In the past week or so, there have been plenty of reports suggesting that our healthcare system is about to collapse due to a lack of empty beds and a lack of manpower as healthcare workers seek better employment opportunities elsewhere.

There have since been reports of an unannounced strike which is set to come up in the next couple of days. However, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa has just warned healthcare workers that such a movement will not solve the problems at hand.

In a TikTok video which has been shared all across her social media accounts, Dr Zaliha suggested that the aggrieved parties talk out their issues face-to-face either through ministry officers or her personally while calling for all to think reasonably.

“I was informed that there will be an unannounced strike, whether it will happen or not, I myself am uncertain. As a doctor myself, I truly understand your problems and I am more determined than ever to resolve the issue at hand.”

“If we could resolve it today, then by today we will do so, but we must understand that I need some time to look deeper into the issue so we can achieve the best outcome,” she said in the video.

The last resort

In response to Dr Zaliha’s comments asking healthcare workers to think reasonably before going on strike, a number of healthcare related personalities have said that a strike is absolutely the last action they would take on the matter.

According to the Hartal Doktor Kontrak Twitter account, they are not involved in any unplanned strikes as claimed by the Health Ministry and that they believe a well-planned strike would be the last resort.

“Patient health and safety remains our priority.”

No other avenues

Meanwhile, the comments by Dr Zaliha has not gone down well with netizens who criticised her approach on the matter. The majority of netizens expressed their dissatisfaction by telling Zaliha that a strike might be the only avenue to get the attention of the Ministry to resolve the matter as all other avenues appeared to have fallen through.

“The best thing that you can do right now is to meet them. Set an engagement session. Settle this first.”

One user commented, “Do more than just listening, making videos and press conferences and all of that ‘we understand’. It’s not like they can’t think maturely. They are tired of waiting for improvements.”

Other users urged the Minister to take action rather than just talking about taking action.

“Talk is cheap. Set timeline by a certain month with implementation or execution. Actions speak louder than words.”

Another user commented, “The meetings should have taken place already.”

Watch the video below:

Respon terhadap perencanaan mogok mengejut (unannounced strike). pic.twitter.com/uPzAqZvmQx

— Dr.Zaliha Mustafa (@Zaliha_DrZ) February 15, 2023

What do you think of the minister’s comments? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section.

Also read: Health Minister Goes Undercover at Klang Hospital to Chat With Patients