KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry (MOH) has shortened the waiting period for medical graduate placements to two months, down from an average of 10 months, in a move to prevent graduates from seeking jobs abroad, according to the New Straits Times.
The ministry said the improvement was achieved by streamlining the placement process to ensure graduates are not left without job opportunities.
A key feature of the overhaul is the Student Training Scheme (STB), which offers final-year students a head-start through conditional employment offers. Graduates can now apply for UD9 contract medical officer positions through their universities or the Public Service Commission before completing their studies, bridging the gap between education and employment.
“The long wait for placements often leads to graduates seeking opportunities overseas,” the ministry said, adding that more than 10% of 5,000 surveyed graduates turned down local job offers, according to a January 2026 MBSB Research Study.
The ministry also noted that fully registered medical officers who have completed mandatory service are eligible for temporary two-year contracts, while coordination with the Malaysian Medical Council has been stepped up to accelerate practicing certificate approvals.
To maintain a steady flow of practitioners, UD9 intakes will now occur twice monthly and are synchronised with academic calendars. Currently, the nation’s 48 training hospitals accommodate roughly 5,000 graduates annually, with housemanship volumes remaining between 3,000 and 6,000 per year over the past decade. – April 2, 2026