When I first settled down in a new area, I had to make necessary adjustments just like any other Medical Officer (MO) placed outside their territory. Yet despite being placed 1500km away from home, I was not entitled to “Elaun Gangguan” - an allowance given only to permanent MOs from Peninsular Malaysia who are placed in East Malaysia and vice versa. Why am I not granted the allowance? Is it because I have the word “Contract” in front of my title instead of “Permanent”? I’ve worked as hard as the permanent MOs to graduate from medical school, to complete my housemanship and now to continue my job as a doctor, only to be met with these discouraging hurdles……

When I was a final year medical student, I gave in to peer pressure and applied for an internship in Australia. I did it half-heartedly, thinking that I wanted to stay in Malaysia and serve the people here. I continued with housemanship, which was relatively bearable, but my commencement as a contract medical officer (MO) made me realise that I had to do something to safeguard my job security……