Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Health (MOH) is reinforcing adherence to the Public Service Department (PSD) Circular, which mandates that pregnant female civil servants are permitted to leave work one hour earlier than their usual hours once they reach 22 weeks of pregnancy. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad has strongly emphasized that department heads and supervisors must abide by these standard operating procedures (SOPs), despite any operational challenges they may encounter.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Dzulkefly underscored the importance of following this regulation, stating, ‘I know that MOH’s healthcare facilities are indeed facing problems and constraints, but that is not a reason for us to violate this rule.’ He further stressed the need to address issues concerning pregnant nurses and MySTEP officers, ensuring compliance with the established regulations.

The Health Minister’s comments followed a signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the MOH and Roche (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd for the Cancer Care Closer to Community (CCC) initiative. Dr Dzulkefly’s remarks were in response to online media reports suggesting non-compliance by certain health clinics and district health offices in Selangor, where it was allegedly observed that the allowance was only granted to healthcare workers whose pregnancies reached 36 weeks.

The Service Circular No. 11/2017 clearly states that pregnant female civil servants are eligible for this one-hour early leave starting from 22 weeks of pregnancy, a policy effective since January 1, 2018.