Flexi posts for medical assistants being studied

PUTRAJAYA: The proposal by the Health Ministry to create flexi positions for trained medical assistants to continue serving in their areas of expertise is being examined by the Public Service Department (JPA), says Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni.

The Deputy Health Minister said the details and study related to the matter had been carried out by Health director-general Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan before being brought to JPA last year.

He said currently, the placement of promoted medical assistants is based on vacancy.

“If there is no vacancy, they will have to be transferred to another facility or field that has a vacancy, and this will be to the disadvantage of MOH,” he told to reporters after attending the 13th Medical Assistants Day celebration here, Bernama reported.

He said a change to another facility or field would affect the quality of service to patients.

Meanwhile, Lukanisman said there is a positive aspect regarding flexi staffing, adding that if the proposal is approved, it will improve the quality of service.

He said flexi grades will be created in niche areas to retain knowledgeable and highly skilled medical assistants in specialised fields to improve the quality of service in health facilities to the community.

In his speech earlier, he said MOH has increased the network of professional ties for medical assistants with several foreign countries.

“Through this network of relationships at the global level, we managed to open up the best space and platform in recognising and improving this profession,” Lukanisman said.