Malaysia Health Ministry proposes permanent roles for dental and pharmacy officers

The Malaysian Health Ministry will recommend absorbing contract dental and pharmacy officers into permanent positions. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad stated that the proposal will be submitted to the Finance Ministry and the Cabinet for consideration.

The initiative aims to secure the welfare and future of these professionals, following a similar approach previously used to address the status of contract medical doctors. Dr Dzulkefly noted that the recruitment for these roles would utilize a new quota, separate from the 9,000 permanent medical doctor positions announced in the 2027 Budget.

Additionally, the Health Minister has requested a seed allocation of approximately RM100 million to strengthen the management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) at the primary healthcare level. This funding is intended to enhance prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment for chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.