General : MOH will recommend absorbing Dental and pharmacy officers - Dzulkefly

KUALA LUMPUR, 13 OCTOBER 2026 —

Malaysia’s Health Ministry to Push for Permanent Status for Contract Dentists and Pharmacists, Seeking RM100m Boost for NCD Care

The move, announced by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, mirrors the government’s earlier decision to grant permanent status to contract medical doctors under Budget 2027, signaling a broader push to formalize public healthcare roles beyond physicians.

The decision comes as the Malaysian Dental Association (MDA) has repeatedly urged the government to address the precarious employment status of contract dental officers, particularly after reports emerged of contract terminations without renewal. Dr Dzulkefly confirmed that the MOH would prioritize the welfare of these officers, acknowledging their contributions and experience within the public healthcare system.

The recruitment process for permanent positions will operate under a new, separate quota—distinct from the 9,000 permanent medical doctor posts already allocated in Budget 2027—ensuring dedicated capacity for dentists and pharmacists.

The minister’s remarks, made during an appearance on Bernama TV’s Ruang Bicara program, underscored the phased approach to resolving contract staffing issues. “The first step will be followed by other service schemes, namely dentists and pharmacists as well,” he stated, framing the absorption as part of a structured reform to stabilize Malaysia’s public health workforce.

The timing remains unspecified but will proceed within a “reasonable timeframe,” aligning with the MOH’s broader strategy to professionalize non-medical healthcare roles.

Beyond workforce stabilization, Dr Dzulkefly also highlighted an urgent financial request: a RM100 million seed allocation from the Ministry of Finance to strengthen non-communicable disease (NCD) management at the primary healthcare level. The funding, he emphasized, is critical for expanding prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and continuous control of chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension—diseases that constitute a “pandemic” in their own right.

“Matters related to NCD management are a major component I am bringing into the reforms,” he said, noting that the allocation would complement the RM80 million already earmarked for PeKa B40 (a primary healthcare initiative targeting Malaysia’s bottom 40% income group).

The proposed NCD budget reflects a shift toward primary healthcare-led chronic disease management, benchmarked against regional peers like Singapore and Indonesia as well as global best practices. Dr Dzulkefly stressed that effective NCD control requires multi-stage intervention, from initial screening to long-term monitoring—a gap he described as “essential” to addressing Malaysia’s rising burden of lifestyle-related illnesses.

The request aligns with broader regional trends, where governments are increasingly prioritizing primary care to curb escalating healthcare costs tied to chronic diseases.

The push for permanent appointments for dentists and pharmacists addresses long-standing concerns in Malaysia’s public health sector, where contract-based hiring has left thousands of professionals vulnerable to non-renewal and job insecurity. The MDA’s advocacy, coupled with the MOH’s proactive response, suggests a turning point for these groups, though the success of the proposal hinges on Cabinet approval and financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance.

Meanwhile, the RM100 million NCD request, if approved, would mark a significant investment in preventive care—a priority as Malaysia grapples with aging demographics and rising obesity rates.

Dr Dzulkefly’s dual announcements—workforce reform and NCD funding—paint a picture of a health ministry balancing immediate labor market fixes with long-term systemic upgrades. The next critical step will be securing Cabinet endorsement for the permanent absorption plan, while the Ministry of Finance evaluates the RM100 million request against broader fiscal priorities.

With Budget 2027 already allocating substantial sums to medical doctor recruitment, the focus now shifts to whether the government will extend similar stability to Malaysia’s dental and pharmacy workforce, ensuring a more sustainable public health system for years to come.

Related: Ministry of Health (MOH) · Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad · Kuala Lumpur