Malaysia seeks RI doctors

JAKARTA: The Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak are seeking 555 doctors to meet the growing demand for better health services in Malaysian hospitals, an Indonesian official said on Friday.

Head of the Medical Workers and Professionals Empowerment department at the Ministry of Health, Ronald Hutapea, said the vacancies in Malaysia were offered to 380 general practitioners, 100 specialists and 75 dentists.

All general practitioners and dentists applying for the vacancies must not be more than 45 years of age and have taken part in the two-year mandatory service at state hospitals. The maximum age requirement for specialists is 50 years old.

Conducted by the ministry of health and its Malaysian counterpart, the selection tests will take place in late May in Jakarta, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Medan and Makassar.

The Malaysian hospitals offer Rp 8.5 million for general practitioners and Rp 17.5 million for specialists in monthly salaries respectively, excluding housing, emergency and leisure allowances and 30 days of annual leave. This is considerably more than their Indonesian counterparts.

Applicants can contact the nearest Ministry of Health offices. -- Antara