More applying for jobs with civil service

The Star

By ALLISON LAI

MALACCA: More people, including fresh graduates, are now applying for jobs with the civil service following the increase in salaries last July, Director-General of Health Tan Sri Datuk Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said.

He said this paradigm shift occurred after the increase put the salaries of civil servants on par with those in the private sector.

Speaking at the state level excellent services award ceremony here on Thursday, Mohd Ismail said this had also reduced the burden and the problem of the Government in addressing the critical human capital shortage in certain service sectors.

"It has also provided an opportunity for the Government to choose the best candidates to serve in the service," he said, adding that Health Ministry staff received raises of between 7.5% and 35%.

He said that it was essential to nurture a workforce with first class mentality, who always strive to give their best in their work.

Mohd Ismail said the shortage of trained personnel in selected service sectors in the Health Ministry has not been resolved completely.

"We still have problems in meeting the needs of medical officers and specialists, dental, pharmacists, nurses and assistant health officers," he said.

Mohd Ismail said Malacca is among the countries with less problems but states like Sabah, Sarawak, Labuan, Pahang and Johor are facing critical problems.

He said the Government had taken several initiatives including brain gain, allowing locum pro practice, opportunities for career advancement and increase in special allowances.

"Besides the human resource problems, the increase in cost for providing health services, change in disease trends, discovery of new diseases, health crises as well as disaster management were the other challenges faced by the ministry," he said.

Ismail said the increase in salaries should motivate civil servants to work hard to improve productivity and quality of service.