KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 — In light of the current Covid-19 infections in the country,  the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) today suggested that the government considers extending the contracts of medical officers (MOs) and retiring medical staff.

In a statement today, MMA president Dr N. Ganabaskaran said that apart from roping in housemen to manage the Covid-19 cases as announced yesterday, the government should consider this suggestion as well.

"The government should consider expediting the renewal of contracts for MOs who have just been released from service due to the end of two-year contracts.

"This will add trained personnel to the pool. The extension of short-term contracts for those retiring should be considered to strengthen the ward, clinic and operation theatre pools, while the younger generation serve at the front lines,” he said.

Commenting on the report that the Ministry of Health will take in 1,000 housemen to support medical staff in managing Covid-19 cases, the MMA clarified that the house officers would be additional hands helping in the wards but not on the front lines. 

The MMA said the house officers were also from the public healthcare sector’s ongoing intakes, most recently for April 2020. Meanwhile, the association also emphasised the importance of primary care in managing the situation as the country has 7,000 general practitioners nationwide who can support the Health Ministry in the screening process. — Bernama