Promotion promise

NSTP

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday announced a comprehensive career advancement plan for doctors, dentists and pharmacists serving in the public sector.

It will expedite their promotion to Grade 54 by between two and five years.


He said the initiative, which will cost RM200 million annually, was aimed at improving their career advancement by promoting them within a shorter time frame.


For example, a medical specialist can progress to Grade 54 in nine years compared with 11 years now. A clinical or administrative medical officer can move up in 12 years compared with 17 years now.


“Following this move, the government hopes that doctors, dentists and pharmacists in the Health Ministry will continue to provide excellent service to the people,” Najib said in a statement.


He said the Public Service Department and the ministry were working out the promotion of eligible Grade UD44 medical officers to Grade UD48. The majority would be promoted by the end of this month.


Najib said the improvement was in recognition of the role and contributions of healthcare providers.


This would also enhance their commitment and determination to raise the level of service at government hospitals.


Elaborating, the prime minister said that on Dec 5, 2007, the government agreed to promote directly to Grade UD44 all medical officers appointed from Jan 1, 2008 onwards, soon after completing their two-year housemanship and having registered with the Malaysian Medical Council.


Medical officers appointed prior to Jan 1, 2008 were promoted to Grade UD44 last year, an exercise that involved 9,871 medical officers.


The career advancement plan is as follows: ● Promotion to Grade 44 for dentists who have been on Grade 41 for two years, and for pharmacists after three years.

• Promotion to Grade 48 for doctors and dentists who have been on Grade 44 for three years or up to the date of gazetting as specialists, whichever is earlier; and for pharmacists who have been on Grade 44 for four years.


• Promotion to Grade 52 for clinical or administrative doctors and dentists who have been on Grade 48 for four years or subject to availability of vacant positions, whichever is earlier; also for medical specialists and dental specialists who have been on Grade 48 for two years or subject to availability of vacant positions, whichever is earlier, and subject to recommendation of the Specialists’ Evaluation Panel of the Health Ministry, and pharmacists who have been on Grade 48 for four years or subject to availability of vacant positions, whichever is earlier.


• Promotion to Grade 54 for clinical or administrative doctors and dentists who have been on Grade 52 for three years or subject to availability of vacant positions, whichever is earlier.


For medical specialists and dental specialists who have been on Grade 52 for two years or subject to availability of vacant positions, whichever is earlier, and subject to the recommendation of the Specialists’ Eval - uation Panel.


For pharmacists who have been on Grade 52 for three years or subject to availability of vacant positions, whichever is earlier.


For medical specialists and dental specialists, the promotion from Grade 54 to Special Grade C and higher is subject to the recommendation of the ministry’s Specialists’ Evaluation Panel.


For medical officers (clinical or administrative), dental officers (clinical or administrative) and pharmacists, the promotion from Grade 54 to Special Grade C and higher is subject to availability of vacant positions.


Najib said that based on the career advancement plan, the maximum period for doctors, dentists and pharmacists eligible to be promoted up to Grade 54 had been shortened.


The average period for promotion to Grade 54 is as follows: • Medical officers (specialist) — nine years (now 11 years) • Dental officers (specialist) — nine years (now 11 years) • Medical officers (clinical or administrative) — 12 years (now 17 year s) • Dental officers (clinical or administrative) — 12 years (now 17 year s) • Pharmacists — 14 years (now 17 years). — Bernama