KUCHING: The long working hours faced by housemen or trainee medical doctors in all hospitals across the country need to be shortened as it affects their physical and mental well-being.
Sarawak Patriot Association (SPA) member Dr Kang Kee Yeow said the issue of housemen working overtime was a long-standing problem since the 90s.
According to Dr Kang, housemen had to work overtime due to claims that there was a shortage of doctors working at the hospital.
“The issue of the lack of doctors is two contradictory statements because when the issue of contract doctors arose in 2016, the reason was that there were more doctors because the contract was held.
“But when trainee doctors work overtime, their reason is the lack of doctors.
“It is very sad for the housemen. Parents have spent a lot (on education) but suddenly it is said to be a contract position,” he said at a press conference, here yesterday.
Dr Kang said, in fact, hospitals are short of doctors so patients had to line up for treatment.
He elaborated that hospitals also experienced a shortage of specialist doctors.
