Two-shift system at Health Clinics still at proposal stage

The two-shift system at the Health Clinics can be implemented only by utilizing existing human resources and increasing staff and medical needs.

Director-General of Health, Datuk Noor Hisham Abdullah, however, explained that it was still in the proposal stage and would probably be pioneered by involving several health clinics.

"We are looking at congestion at the Health Clinic. The proposal is two shifts. This is one of the suggestions for us to reduce congestion and reduce service time.

"Before that, we need to look at the human resources of MOH and increase employment so we can do two shifts," he said at a press conference here on Monday.

However, MOH will consult with relevant agencies before implementing the proposal.

"But if we use existing human resources, there may be many who disagree because they have to work from morning until evening. We have to look into the implementation issues and we will talk to the agencies involved," he added.

Earlier, the Congress of Workers' Union in the Public Service (Cuepacs) had asked MoH to postpone the proposal to implement a shift system at all Health Clinics across the country until a consultation session with the union and stakeholders was held.

This was because Cuepacs had received reports that the MOH was conducting a survey for health staff to implement the morning and evening shift systems from 8 am to 10 pm.