‘We can’t risk it’: Malaysian doctors denounce alleged plan to cut rest hours

The slide, allegedly from a recent national-level discussion between health officials, said that anaesthesiologists may no longer be eligible for time off after a 24-hour on-call shift.

A photo of the slide circulating online prompted Nik Azmi Fathil, press officer of Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad, to deny its veracity and pledge that the ministry has not made any such decision.

But that was not enough to assuage professional groups wary of looming cuts.

The Junior Doctor’s Network (JDN) at the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) responded to Fathil’s denial saying “of course” they went into panic mode and that safe and reasonable working hours are a paramount concern.

“It is non-negotiable for our health and patient safety,” the group said.