Speaking at a press conference today, Health Minister Dr S Subramaniam said that although the number of clinical specialists had increased from 3,424 in 2010 to 4,481 in 2015, there was still a dire need for more.
“These numbers are still not enough to cater to the needs of the rakyat and to provide service in 142 MOH hospitals that have 40,260 beds in total,” he said.
According to Subramaniam, among some of the strategies implemented were the offering of more scholarships to medical undergraduates to pursue their Masters in local universities.
The ministry was also encouraging medical officers to pursue postgraduate training through membership programmes; and employing private doctors to work in MOH hospitals on a sessional basis.
“With all the strategies implemented by MOH, we’re hoping that the number of clinical specialists can be increased even further to ensure that there is equitable public access to comprehensive, affordable, quality health services.”