Puducherry raises sanitation wages as Malaysia faces medical staffing shortages

In Puducherry, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy announced that the daily wages for sanitation workers will be increased from Rs. 290 to Rs. 424. The announcement was made during the Swachh Bharat Diwas celebrations. The government also committed to providing necessary medical services and facilities to these workers to ensure their well-being while maintaining the cleanliness of the territory.

In Malaysia, the Ministry of Health has issued an urgent directive for 4,255 newly appointed 'UD10' grade medical officers to report to their assigned duty stations by October 7, 2026. This follows a recruitment process that began on September 28.

Concurrently, the Malaysian Medical Association has raised concerns regarding severe doctor shortages, particularly in Sabah. Reports indicate that only about 34% of the 138 medical officers appointed to hospitals across the state have reported for duty. The association warned that staffing shortages are leading to excessive workloads, burnout, and increased turnover among existing medical staff, urging the government to increase incentives for doctors serving in these regions.