A shocking mistake has caused an imminent critical staff shortage in Melaka’s public hospitals and health clinics by the end of July. As reported by Code Blue, a healthcare news portal, this was due to a miscommunication between the Melaka state health department (JKNM) and individual healthcare facilities under the Ministry of Health (MOH) on the number of permanent positions required for public health services in the state.
The communication breakdown resulted in none of Melaka’s public health care facilities––Melaka Hospital, Alor Gajah Hospital, Jasin Hospital, or any of the klinik kesihatan––being listed as available choices in the eHousemen system.
The result of this costly mistake is that medical officers in Melaka have no alternative but to relocate, while those from other states were not able to select to move to the state. Some 4,200 medical officers throughout Malaysia are included in the latest round of relocation.
The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) posted an internal memo date 30 June by the Melaka Hospital to deal with the manpower shortage issue, saying that this maldistribution has led to “patient care being compromised”. The memo signed by a hospital department head stated that the hospital may be inadequately undermanned as early as 1 July.
? Maldistribution of manpower and ineffective management by the Human Resource Department of KKM & JPA have led to significant issues in healthcare services. Patient care is being compromised, a medicine department announcing reduced services due to a lack of staff. ? pic.twitter.com/OOZTPBARlT
— Malaysian Medical Association (@malaysianmedic1) July 13, 2023
According to the memo, these are the measures that will be taken:
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As the medical department offers the largest inpatient and outpatient services in Melaka Hospital, the shortage of medical officers will affect the treatment of patients including during ward rounds and waiting hours at health clinics.
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As a mitigation measure to ensure that patient care is not affected, there will be "interdepartmental referrals" for emergency cases.
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Non-emergency cases will be referred to the relevant specialists and the nearest health clinics.
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Referrals and red zone cases will be attended to by the emergency and trauma department only
CodeBlue has also reported that the Melaka Hospital has taken the following steps:
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Suspended its iFOBT (immunochemical faecal occult blood test) colorectal cancer screening service
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The hospital is also looking to halve the number of elective surgeries offered
The MMA also said that it has received reports from medical officers that they have yet to receive their official letter of placement even though they are required to report for duty by 31 July. These doctors were also reportedly informed that they could not apply for a postponement.
As of the time of writing, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa has yet to comment on the issue.
Image credit: facebook.com/KKM