Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the proposal would be pursued based on the approach used for contract medical doctors.KUALA LUMPUR: The health ministry will recommend absorbing contract dental and pharmacy officers into permanent positions for the consideration of the finance ministry and Cabinet.

Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the proposal would be pursued within a reasonable timeframe, based on the approach previously used to address the issue of contract medical doctors.

"...the first step will be followed by other service schemes, namely dentists and pharmacists as well," he said when met after appearing as a guest on Bernama TV’s Ruang Bicara programme last night.

He said the recruitment of dental and pharmacy officers into permanent positions would utilise a new quota separate from the 9,000 permanent medical doctor positions announced in the 2027 budget.