'Not a show — we are demanding what MOH promised,' says Onn Hafiz

JOHOR BAHRU – Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has hit back at claims by certain quarters that the state government's efforts to address the shortage of doctors and nurses amount to nothing more than a "show".

He said remarks by "political people" seeking to politicise the health issue in Johor had to be corrected, as the state government had never compromised on matters involving the lives, health and welfare of the people.

The shortage of doctors and nurses in Johor is now at a critical level, he said, and the state government is merely asking that pledges previously made by the Health Ministry (MOH) be carried out.

"The state government has been forced to call for and demand the promises made by MOH through the media and social media because this issue has been raised through proper channels since 2023.

"In fact, last year MOH had an audience with the Regent of Johor and agreed to resolve this staffing issue," he said in a statement today.

Onn Hafiz said MOH had previously agreed to immediately fill critical vacancies at Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA), Hospital Sultan Ismail (HSI) and Hospital Kulai, as well as to add manpower at Hospital Pasir Gudang. To date, however, the staffing problem burdening Johor's health sector remains unresolved.

He added that he was also informed that the Public Service Department (JPA) had given MOH the mandate to manage and distribute posts according to the needs of health facilities.

State-level measures

While awaiting a solution from MOH, Onn Hafiz said, the state government has not been merely an observer or a critic. Among the steps taken is funding the placement of locum doctors at major hospitals such as HSA and HSI to help emergency departments cut waiting times and ease the load on existing staff, alongside the establishment of Southern Volunteers Healthcare.

The state has also upgraded more than 460 pantry rooms at health facilities across Johor, introduced medicine delivery by post and expanded facilities such as Locker4U so patients need not turn up at clinics solely to collect follow-up medication.

Additional ambulances, asset assistance and medical equipment have been provided, while Decanting Clinics have been rolled out to move certain services to alternative locations to ease congestion.

"The state government has also partnered the private sector, including KPJ Healthcare, for expertise and manpower. So it is clear the Johor state government is not merely putting on a 'show' when it involves the lives, health and welfare of the people of Johor. As I have said, we are only demanding what was promised," he said.