M’sian Specialist Shares How Fellow Doctor Cousin Did Not Hesitate to Leave MOH for Overseas Job Offer

Internet personality and nephrologist, Dr Rafidah Abdullah, recently took to her Facebook page to share how her cousin, who is a fellow medical practitioner, had decided to take a job overseas and leave the Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH) behind without hesitation.

She wrote, “On my right is my cousin, Dr Atiyah Nur Hassan. (She is) a hardworking, dedicated doctor with a great personality. Her mother is a retired teacher and her late father was a high-ranking government officer (PTD).”

“She works in the Emergency Department and has almost finished her parallel speciality program.”

Goodbye, MOH.

Dr Rafidah went on to share that her cousin, as well as other medical practitioners, were left overworked and undervalued, leading her cousin to choose the overseas job offer rather than stay with MOH.

This image is for illustration purposes only.

“In the Emergency Department, they work shifts. Just like paramedics, they are told to work 45 hours or more. (They are) not given the opportunity to give their opinions, (there is) no involvement with management. They only know what they’re told to implement in the field,”

“She accepted an offer to work in New Zealand as a registrar. She did not hesitate to leave MOH. People are leaving. If this isn’t a sign that the ship has sunk, I don’t know what else to say,” she explained.

She ended her post by highlighting that the only ones who will suffer from Malaysian medical practitioners leaving the country for better job opportunities are the people.

“She didn’t lose, I didn’t lose (as I can go visit). The ones who lose, are the Malaysian people.”

What do you think about this? Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.

Also read: Health Minister: Waiting Time at Government Clinics Has Been Reduced From 3 Hours to 30 Mins