The hashtag #HartalDoktorKontrak has started to trend today on Twitter as news of a planned strike amongst junior medical officers in Malaysia began to spread.
Lack of job security, scarce career development opportunities, and overwhelming mental exhaustion due to being overworked and underpaid are among the reason for the organized strike. Contract medical officers throughout Malaysia are planning a walkout on July 26th outside their respective government health care facilities in every state in response to their unjust treatment by the government.
Contract doctors have already started to be threatened with disciplinary action if they engage in the strike next month. However, the public, especially those on Twitter, has expressed immense support for the cause:
Doctors that are overworked, underpaid and face various hurdles to specialisation is not conducive to the proper functioning of healthcare. The strike is for contract doctors, but at stake is the future of our national healthcare system. #HartalDoktorKontrak
— malaysia was a mistake sukarno shouldve nuked us (@kuihsepotong) June 28, 2021
Doctors are the backbone of this pandemic.
— Socialcrates (@Socialcrates) June 28, 2021
Exploiting these young doctors by not giving them their rights and opportunities, making them overworked, underpaid and mentally crippled is completely unjust.
Justice for the contract doctors. #HartalDoktorKontrak pic.twitter.com/3a7kN2H0T0
I support #HartalDoktorKontrak
— Proud #OKUMalaysia calling for HARTAL!! (@shawnsharif) June 28, 2021
As a patient I expect ALL healthcare workers to be at the top of their game to ensure quality treatment for everything that ails me. HENCE, provide them the full remuneration & benefits & permanent post that’s RIGHTFULLY THEIRS.@KKMPutrajaya
Frontliners deserve not only verbal appreciation and pretty murals but also monetary compensation, better pay, and proper respect; and it is indeed saddening to see the backbones of our country in fighting the pandemic are severely underappreciated.
