SHAH ALAM, May 9 — The Health Ministry (MOH) has instructed hospitals nationwide to ensure that house officers, or junior medical officers, do not work beyond 60 to 62 hours a week under the government’s flexible working system.
In a circular dated May 8 issued to hospital directors, the ministry said the measure is aimed at protecting the welfare and rest periods of medical graduates while maintaining uninterrupted healthcare services and quality clinical training.
The directive comes following confusion among hospital administrators over the interpretation of the General Principles Guidelines on the Standardisation of the Flexible Working System introduced in 2019.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Mahathar Abu Wahab said working hours for house officers are governed by the Public Service Regulations as well as the existing House Officer Programme Guidelines, NST reported.
"Hospital directors will closely monitor the implementation of the flexible working system to ensure compliance with the established guidelines," the English daily quoted the circular as saying, adding that hospitals are required to adopt a three-shift system comprising morning, evening and night.
"Hospitals are not allowed to reduce the arrangement to only two shifts or revert to the previous on-call system.”
Addressing manpower shortages, the ministry said clinical services must continue without compromising the welfare of house officers.
In situations where there is a shortage of house officers, medical officers and specialists should take over duties for afternoon and night shifts if a house officer has already completed a morning shift, MOH said.
It added that the arrangement is necessary to ensure continuity in healthcare delivery while safeguarding the well-being of junior doctors.
Hospitals have also been instructed to plan duty rosters in a way that allows house officers to spend more time during office hours to maximise learning opportunities and clinical exposure.
"On leave entitlement, house officers are eligible for 25 days of annual leave, in addition to sick leave and maternity leave.”
