A serious worry for Malaysia’s future healthcare has been openly shared by YB Senator Dr Lingeswaran on his Facebook page. He’s pointing out a concerning trend: many new doctors are choosing to work overseas instead of staying in Malaysia. Out of 105 medical students who recently graduated from RUMC, a big chunk—about 40 to 50 percent—are reportedly planning to move to Ireland and the United Kingdom for their careers.
This outflow of talent, as highlighted by Senator Dr Lingeswaran, casts a shadow even during proud moments like graduation ceremonies, where we celebrate Malaysia’s ability to train world-class doctors. But these young professionals aren’t leaving because they don’t care about their country. They’re leaving because the system here isn’t giving them stability, support, or a clear path for their future. Problems like the undecided contract doctor policy, a lack of permanent jobs, limited chances for career growth, and poor work-life balance are consistently pushing them away.
Losing so many talented doctors constantly puts Malaysia’s healthcare system at risk. If almost half of every new group of doctors decides to leave, who will eventually take care of our aging parents and the growing number of patients in our clinics and hospitals? Can Malaysia really afford to just be a training ground for doctors who end up serving other countries?
This “brain drain” isn’t just a small problem anymore; it’s become a huge wave that needs immediate and full changes to our system. Malaysia must act now to keep its valuable medical talent, appreciate their hard work, and give them a good reason to stay and work in their beloved home country. If we don’t act quickly and truly commit to fixing these issues, how can Malaysia truly guarantee strong and reliable healthcare for everyone?
