Latest news with #MutualRecognitionArrangement
The Star
9 hours ago
- Health
- The Star
Health Ministry says committed to retaining doctors, expediting permanent appointments
KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry reaffirms its commitment to retaining doctors and healthcare workers within Malaysia's public health system, despite having no legal authority to prevent them from accepting job offers abroad. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry was implementing various measures to encourage healthcare workers to stay, including expediting permanent position appointments among contract doctors. "We cannot block cross-border recruitment, it's an individual right. This is also aligned with the Mutual Recognition Arrangement and the Asean Framework Agreement on Services. "These agreements allow for labour mobility across Asean countries, as mutually agreed. That said, we want our doctors, specialists, and nurses with post-basic training to stay with us," he told reporters at the national-level combating Aedes mega programme in conjunction with Asean Dengue Day 2025. He was responding to viral social media claims that hospitals in Singapore were actively recruiting Malaysian public healthcare workers, particularly doctors, with lucrative salary offers. It is understood that a direct recruitment session for doctors and general practitioners will be held at a hotel here next month. Dzulkefly said the ministry was currently expediting the transition of contract doctors to permanent positions, given the country's critical need for medical professionals. "We won't delay; we are expediting the process to absorb contract workers into permanent roles. As soon as there are vacancies, we will act," he said. He explained that the contract doctor system was initially introduced to address the surge in medical graduates and the limited number of permanent posts over the past decade. "That situation no longer applies, as the number of medical graduates has dropped significantly. There should now be enough positions available for new permanent appointments," he added. – Bernama
New Straits Times
12 hours ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Malaysia cannot bar medical professionals from working abroad, says Dzulkefly
KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has clarified that there are no legal restrictions preventing Malaysian medical professionals from seeking employment overseas, including in neighbouring countries such as Singapore. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said cross-border employment within Asean is permitted under the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) and the Asean Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS), to which Malaysia is a signatory. "The government does not have the legal authority to prohibit medical practitioners, including nurses, from working abroad. "Similarly, companies registered with the Department of Labour are permitted to recruit and place workers," he told reporters today. Dzulkefly was speaking at the national level Gotong Royong Mega Perangi Aedes 1.0 campaign organised by the ministry at PPR Seri Kota in Bandar Tun Razak. Also present during the clean-up activity were the ministry's secretary general Datuk Seri Suriani Ahmad and Bandar Tun Razak member of parliament Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. Dzulkefly's remarks follow public concern over Singapore's recent recruitment drive targeting Malaysian healthcare professionals, including nurses, doctors and general practitioners. The move went viral after a post on Threads showed that Singapore's Ministry of Health had conducted in-person interviews in Kuala Lumpur, offering attractive remuneration packages to shortlisted candidates. The job offers included a starting salary of about SGD110,000 (RM385,000) per year, excluding monthly housing allowances, insurance coverage and a range of additional benefits. The initiative is believed to be part of Singapore's ongoing efforts to address manpower shortages in the healthcare sector by attracting skilled professionals from across the region. While acknowledging the right of healthcare professionals to seek better opportunities, Dzulkefly reaffirmed the government's commitment to retaining skilled talent within the national healthcare system, including doctors, specialists and experienced nurses. "We are stepping up efforts to curb the outflow of healthcare workers and will continue to enhance incentives and improve the competitiveness of the local working environment. "We can also assure that reforms to address systemic issues, including secure career pathways and better compensation, are already underway to make the healthcare sector more appealing," he said.
The Sun
13 hours ago
- Health
- The Sun
MOH expedites permanent roles for doctors to retain healthcare talent
KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has reiterated its focus on retaining doctors and healthcare workers in Malaysia's public sector, even as it acknowledges the lack of legal power to stop them from pursuing opportunities abroad. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad emphasised ongoing efforts to incentivise staff to remain, including accelerating permanent placements for contract doctors. He clarified that while international recruitment falls under regional labour agreements, the ministry is prioritising local retention. 'We cannot block cross-border recruitment, it's an individual right. This is also aligned with the Mutual Recognition Arrangement and the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services,' he said during the ASEAN Dengue Day 2025 event. The statement follows reports of Singaporean hospitals offering high salaries to attract Malaysian medical professionals. A recruitment drive targeting doctors is reportedly scheduled next month at a local hotel. Dzulkefly assured that the ministry is fast-tracking permanent roles for contract doctors to address staffing shortages. 'We won't delay; we are expediting the process to absorb contract workers into permanent roles. As soon as there are vacancies, we will act,' he said. The contract system was initially implemented to manage an influx of medical graduates, but with numbers now declining, Dzulkefly confirmed sufficient vacancies for permanent hires. - Bernama
Qatar Tribune
22-06-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
GAB is 1st accreditation body from MENA to sign APAC's MRA for GHG accreditation
QNA Doha Qatar-based Global Accreditation Bureau (GAB) has officially become a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) Signatory of the Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC) for the accreditation of Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs) for Greenhouse Gases (GHG). This achievement positions GAB as a key enabler in the MENA region for climate accountability and sustainability practices aligned with international standards. Becoming an MRA signatory signifies that GAB's accreditation processes for GHG VVBs have been rigorously evaluated and deemed equivalent to those of other recognized accreditation bodies within APAC. This is particularly significant given the standing of APAC as a highly respected and influential regional cooperation of accreditation bodies in the Asia Pacific region. This development follows GAB's earlier success in 2024, when it became an MRA Signatory of both the Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) for accreditation of Management System Certification Bodies. GAB's elevated status not only enhances its international recognition but also positions it as the first and only Accreditation Body Member in the MENA region to be part of APAC MRA group with a scope of GHG validation and verification. Speaking about the latest milestone, Dr. Yousef Alhorr, founding chairman of GAB, said: 'By becoming APAC's MRA Signatory for the accreditation of GHG validation and verification bodies, we are directly addressing the increasing demand for robust and transparent GHG accounting, aligning with international frameworks. By ensuring that VVBs accredited by GAB operate under a rigorous, internationally recognised accreditation framework, GAB is steadily progressing towards its goal of empowering stakeholders in the MENA region and other neighboring countries. 'To this end, it will assure that GHG validation and verification processes operated under accreditation from GAB are technically sound and adhere to the international standards, fostering confidence and paving the way for a sustainable, low-carbon future.' GAB's extended MRA signatory status will significantly benefit organisations and VVBs operating within the MENA region and neighboring countries. It will provide them with easier access to internationally recognised accreditation services for GHG validation and verification. GHG reports originating from VVBs accredited by GAB will gain greater acceptance within international markets that acknowledge the APAC MRA. This will ease trade barriers and enhance market access for organizations relying on these verified reports. Simplifying their selection process, organizations seeking GHG validation and verification services can now select GAB-accredited bodies with confidence, assured that these VVBs meet rigorous international standards. Ultimately, GAB's MRA status will empower organisations to accurately measure, report, and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions which will significantly contribute to broader global sustainability objectives and climate action initiatives within the region. GAB's extended MRA signatory status will amplify its existing portfolio and influence within the accreditation landscape. Having already accredited five VVBs—two based in Qatar and three in India—under this expanded scope, GAB is demonstrating its growing capacity to support GHG validation and verification services. With many other applicant bodies currently undergoing rigorous review at various stages of GHG-related accreditation, this momentum suggests a substantial increase in GAB's accredited partners.
