Scores of medical officers (MOs) failed to report for duty last September 28 for permanent positions in Sabah and Sarawak, based on anecdotes from doctors on the ground. Unofficial reports posted on social media claimed zero MOs showing up in at least four hospitals, while others reported high no-show rates of 70% or higher. - Beluran Hospital: 0 turned up, 5-6 postings on paper (100% no-show) - Keningau Hospital: 0 turned up - Sipitang Hospital: 0 turned up - Kanowit Hospital: 0 turned up - Kudat regional health office: 4 turned up, 17 postings on paper (76% no-show) - Ranau Hospital: 1 turned up, 4 postings on paper (75% no-show) - Sri Aman Hospital: 6 turned up, 20 postings on paper (70% no-show) In July, Deputy Health Minister Hanifah Hajar Taib projected an overall 50% no-show rate for permanent positions offered in Sabah this year, based on only 20 of 39 MOs posted to Sabah reporting for duty in the June intake. The Ministry of Health (MOH) planned permanent appointments of 4,500 medical officers nationwide this year, comprising 328 in the June intake and the remaining 4,172 in the October intake. September 28 was the date for reporting for duty for the October intake, with permanent appointments taking effect on October 5 after doctors report for duty at their new placements. It’s unclear how many in the October intake of 4,172 permanent appointments of medical officers across the country failed to report for duty last September 28. CodeBlue has requested data from the MOH. Read more: codeblue.galencentre.org/202…