JOHOR BARU, April 3 — The Johor health authorities assured the public there were no untoward incidents or sudden interruptions at all health facilities in the state from the nationwide three-day government contract doctors’ strike.

Johor Health and Unity Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the monitoring of all government health facilities in the state today showed that patient care services at health clinics and hospitals, including all scheduled elective procedures, were running smoothly as usual.

He said there was no unexpected congestion at government health facilities and the number of medical officers absent from duty or on leave was under control.

"The monitoring (by the Health Ministry) also found that there were no gatherings for marches or other forms of public demonstrations at government health facilities in Johor,” Ling said in a statement today.

He was commenting on the current situation involving the strike this morning at all government health facilities in Johor.

Johor has 1,880 contract medical officers of grade UD41 and grade UD43 working in 24 health facilities statewide.

Ling added that continuous monitoring is currently being undertaken by all centre heads to ensure that the delivery of health services to patients in clinics or hospitals will be smooth.

"All problems must have a solution, but going on a strike is not the best solution.

"I thank the contract doctors in Johor who were not involved in the three-day strike for their service to all patients,” he said.

On the grouses by government contract doctors in Johor, Ling said he was open to listening the complaints despite the matter not being under his jurisdiction.

He said as the representative of the state government he can assist by conveying the grievances faced by the state’s contact doctors to the health ministry.

"We want to work together in resolving the issues and demands of the contract doctors,” he said.

Ling, who is also the Yong Peng assemblyman, called on the federal government to urgently look into the contract doctors’ issues.

He said the committee that is set up by the Cabinet, helmed by the Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali and assisted by several ministries as well as agencies, need to immediately find a solution to the problem.

Yesterday, the Health Ministry issued an alert to all government hospitals and health facilities following a nationwide three-day strike involving around 8,000 doctors which begins today.

Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa warned all government doctors against participating in the strike through a circular by the Public Service Department director-general.

She said those who take part in the strike will be subjected to the civil servants’ integrity and public service etiquette.