Kuala Lampur:Training more Sabah-born students to become doctors is viewed as one of the best long-term solutions to tackle the shortage of medical officers in the state, especially in rural areas.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ajulahin Japin, president of the Sabah Medical Services Union (SMSU), stated that locals are generally more willing to serve in their home state, whether it be in rural, suburban, or urban areas. However, the current number of medical graduates among Sabah-born students is insufficient to fill existing vacancies.

Ajulahin, who also leads the Joint Council of Presidents and Secretaries-General of the Health Ministry Workers Union (MAPSU), mentioned that young people from the Peninsula might have a perception that postings in Sabah and Sarawak are predominantly in rural areas, which could deter them from accepting positions there. This perception of discomfort is a contributing factor to the reluctance of some Peninsula-based doctors to work in Sabah.

The shortage of Sabah-born medical graduates has necessitated reliance on medical officers from the Peninsula to fill vacancies in Sabah's hospitals and health clinics. Ajulahin emphasized the need for the government to increase the intake and training of Sabah-born students in medicine to reduce this reliance in the future.

A MAPSU survey revealed that some Peninsula doctors are less inclined to accept postings in Sabah, particularly in rural areas. Factors contributing to this include the freezing of the Regional Incentive Allowance (BIW) and rural area allowances, which were previously between 17 and 25 percent and about 10 percent of basic salary, respectively.

Ajulahin suggested that the Ministry of Health (MOH) should investigate and reassess incentives to attract medical officers from the Peninsula to serve in Sabah. Additionally, he proposed that Peninsula medical graduates undergo their housemanship in Sabah hospitals to gain early exposure to the working and living environment, potentially increasing their preparedness and willingness to serve in the state.

MAPSU includes 29 trade unions under the MOH nationwide. Recent reports indicated that several hospitals in Sabah and Sarawak are experiencing a shortage of medical officers, with no new doctors reportedly starting permanent appointments this month. In response, the MOH has urged medical officers Grade UD10 to report for duty at their assigned facilities by the October 7 deadline. A total of 4,255 medical officers were offered placements through the ePlacement system for Phase 2/2026 appointments, effective from September 28.