Noor Azmi: Two-shift system aims to lighten staff load

KUALA LUMPUR: The two shift-system at selected government clinics in the country is meant to lighten the burden of staff at these facilities, says Deputy Health Minister I Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali.

He said there were government clinics operating on extended hours until 10pm.

“The staff might be able to file claims, but they would have less time for themselves and their families,” he said yesterday.

He said the shift system was created to ensure that social distancing was observed in the clinics, adding that the system was only implemented in clinics with enough staff.

A survey by the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) from May 22-28 revealed that 92% of 9,320 Health Ministry employees in various categories disagreed with the new shift system that was being implemented in phases from June 15.

From the survey, 84% said this would increase their workload and 89% said it would increase work-related stress and lead to burnout.

But Dr Noor Azmi said there were no problems with the system and that it had been implemented well.

He told reporters this after attending a cheque presentation ceremony by online shopping platform Shopee to the MMA Foundation (MMAF).

The shopping platform had raised RM699,830 in online donations for front line healthcare workers battling Covid-19 via the Shopee MMA Covid-19 Fund launched in April.

The fund attracted over 32,000 donors over the three-month period since its launch.

“We will work on identifying front line healthcare workers in need of support and ensure that they receive help,” said MMAF president Datuk R. Doraisingam Pillai.