Akmal called on health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad to postpone the “Waktu Bekerja Berlainan” (WBB) system’s implementation, and act against those who approved it without his knowledge.

“I want to thank the health minister for saying this system was not referred to him. He did not know about this.

“But a letter has been issued, and it has already been in enforcement as of the date of its issuance,” he said in a video posted on Facebook today.

CodeBlue had previously reported the existence of a Jan 10 circular by health ministry medical development division director Dr Azman Yacob.

In the circular, Azman said the first phase of the WBB shift system will take effect on Feb 1, in eight departments across seven government hospitals.

Earlier today, Dzulkefly said he had not been briefed on the system nor given his approval, and that it remains a “recommendation” that is still being fine-tuned.

“I have not approved it (and) I don’t know how this was leaked.

“We will definitely have to go through stringent engagement sessions with healthcare experts, specialists and heads of departments (before approving it),” he told reporters after an event at SK Putrajaya Precint 9(2) in Putrajaya.

The shift system limits doctors and dentists in the public health service to 18 consecutive work hours, lower than the current 24 to 33 hours straight from on-call duties.

Akmal pointed out that doctors working such hours are not entitled to on-call allowances.

“Only those who work on public holidays and weekends get on-call allowances.

“Even for security guards who work 12 hours, eight of these hours are considered their base hours, and the other four are considered overtime. Our doctors have to work 18 hours without allowances.

“Our doctors are already few. If we do this, more doctors will leave,” he said.