Govt extends moratorium on medical sector until 2021

The government has extended the moratorium on the medical sector for a period of five years until 2021, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.

He said the moratorium that should have been over this year had to be extended due to problems in the placement of medical graduates and existing doctors in the country.

"We are extending the moratorium because we have problems in trying to place even the current doctors who are coming out. We have to make sure they get good placements," he told reporters after opening the Malaysia Media Healthcare Week, here, Monday.

Media personnel from 15 countries including Indonesia, Singapore, Bahrain and Bangladesh are participating in the programme.

The programme themed 'Malaysia Loves You Campaign' from Monday until March 4, is being held to raise awareness and provide insight to media personnel on the healthcare Malaysia has to offer.

"Malaysia provides quality healthcare services at a reasonable price and we believe we can attract many health tourists via the medical tourism industry," said Dr Subramaniam.