‘We’re Seen As Cheap & High-Quality Assets In S’pore’, Says M’sian Doctor

[disconsolate]

‘We’re Seen As Cheap & High-Quality Assets In S’pore’, Says M’sian Doctor​

“We’re not overworked or ignored here.”

Jann Firdaus
May 19, 2025

https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?ur...Quality Assets In S'pore', Says M'sian Doctor

Cover image via Canva

While Malaysia continues to train thousands of medical graduates each year, many are choosing to begin their careers across the Causeway and Singaporean hospitals are more than happy to welcome them.​

According to Dr Akram, a Malaysian doctor currently working in the island nation, local graduates are seen as “affordable yet high-quality assets” by hospitals in Singapore.

At the hospital where I work, 40% of the medical staff are graduates from top Malaysian universities,” he shared. He added that their strong foundation stems from Malaysia’s holistic housemanship system.

Why they’re making the switch​

Akram began his medical career at a hospital in Malaysia. Within six months, he received and accepted an offer to work in Singapore. Now, after a year of service there, he says he understands why so many fellow Malaysians are eyeing similar moves, reported FMT.

He believes the country’s healthcare system is intentionally seeking out Malaysian talent, especially with Singapore planning to build two new hospitals.

Of course, more medical graduates or officers from Malaysia will be recruited here,” he said.

According to the Ministry of Health Singapore, the republic currently has 11 public hospitals, nine private ones, and 10 specialist centres focusing on various areas including cancer, cardiology, dermatology, and neurology.

Growing trend of migration​

Data from The Star confirms this ongoing shift. On March 20, the outlet reported a steady increase in the number of Malaysian medical graduates heading to Singapore for postgraduate training (housemanship).

• 2020: 2 graduates
• 2021: 15 graduates
• 2022: 25 graduates
• 2023: 30 graduates

This trend was also acknowledged by Professor Marina Mat Baki, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

“The pay, balance and respect make it worth It”​

Dr Akram revealed that many junior doctors and even medical students from two major local universities are already exploring ways to work in Singapore.

The main draws include better pay, better benefits, and a better work-life balance.

Many medical officers are attracted by the generous salary, perks, and the work-life balance that matches their responsibilities and workload,” he said.

He listed some of the benefits junior doctors in Singapore receive:

• Monthly medical officer allowance
• Monthly housing allowance
• Annual wellness allowance
• Performance bonuses and corporate variable bonuses
• On-call pay for weekdays, weekends and public holidays
• Multiple types of leave: annual, sick, non-MC, marriage, family, training, and even birthday leave

Dr Akram also noted that leave applications are smoother and easier to manage due to sufficient manpower.

Each hospital has its own team of specialists, medical officers, and housemen. In Malaysia, our specialists are scattered. For example, cardiologists might only be available at Hospital Serdang,” he said.

“We’re not burnt out here like we were back home”​

While Akram praised Malaysia’s training and exposure for young doctors, he said many experience burnout due to poor treatment, lack of welfare support, and limited work-life balance.

Honestly, the burnout feels endless back home,” he said.

He also highlighted the difference in workload. In Singapore, a medical officer typically sees 20 patients per day. In Malaysia, that number can go up to 40 per doctor.

As the demand for healthcare workers grows in Singapore, it seems that Malaysian medical graduates will continue to be a top choice, offering quality care without the premium price tag.

 

[nabeifuckpap]

65% voted for this shit

 

[Truthspeak]

It doesn’t matter at all as all doctors were trained with fraudulent science in medical school and were used to sell Jewish pharmaceutical drugs when they graduate

 

[Pinkieslut]

Jiuhu Kia no happy can fuck off.,

 

[Chase]

It has been an issue for decades; Singapore refuses to groom more local-born?