Rahayu Mahzam on meeting growing demand for Allied Health Professionals

The demand for Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) has been increasing due to growing healthcare needs. The total number of registered diagnostic radiographers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, radiation therapists and speech therapists increased by 25 per cent from about 6,000 in 2019 to 7,500 in 2023. Overall, the attrition of AHPs in the public healthcare sector increased slightly from 8.9 per cent in 2018 to 11.6 per cent in 2022. In the community care sector, the attrition of AHPs fell from 17.7 per cent in 2018 to 11.3 per cent in 2022. Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Health Rahayu Mahzam gave this update in reply to MPs’ questions in Parliament on Tuesday (Feb 27). She said the Ministry of Health continues to work with public healthcare clusters, community care organisations and Institutes of Higher Learning to train, attract and retain AHPs. “There needs to be good career prospects and opportunities for professional development, a conducive workplace environment and salaries will have to be competitive,” she said. She pointed out that public healthcare institutions have increased the starting salaries of AHPs and supported salary enhancements in the community care sector, including for AHPs.