This group, whose number is not available, were initially offered a three-year houseman contract, which was later followed by two extensions of two years each. Most will see their tenure end this year.

They have all applied to be reabsorbed into government service under the new interim contract system, which has seen more than 3,900 positions offered.

Applications closed on July 31, but the results, which were supposed to be announced last month, have been delayed.

They were the first batch of doctors who entered service on a contract basis in 2016 due to an oversupply of medical graduates. Many had to wait between seven and 12 months before being offered houseman positions.

According to senator Dr RA Lingeshwaran, one such doctor in Penang was forced to stop working when his contract expired recently.

“He was told to wait for an announcement on interim contracts. The health department told him he will be out of a job if not selected.

“Apparently, it’s the same for all those in his predicament. I wonder why the ministry is not finding ways to keep them in service at a time when many are quitting,” he told FMT.

Lingeshwaran, a former director of the Sungai Bakap hospital in Penang, said some among the group were not able to take up earlier offers for a variety of reasons, including an inability to travel to Sabah and Sarawak due to pregnancy or family commitments.

He also questioned whether they would lose their seniority if offered an interim contract.

Meanwhile, the father of another doctor, whose contract ends next month, told FMT his daughter was informed by the ministry her service will end on Nov 24 unless she is told otherwise.

“My daughter was given a permanent posting in Sabah last year but she was seven months pregnant at the time and the airlines did not allow her to fly. She appealed to the health minister, but it was rejected.

“The surprising part is that there were others in her situation whose appeals were allowed and they were given postings to where their husbands were working. We appealed on humanitarian grounds for the family to be together during a crucial time but it was not considered,” he said.

The father, who requested anonymity, said his daughter has one child and is currently carrying her second. Her husband is working in the private sector in Selangor and his firm has no branch in Sabah.

FMT has reached out to the health ministry for comment.