The establishment of the Health Services Commission will not bring meaningful change to healthcare workers if it is not granted real authority to resolve shortages of personnel, permanent posts, and remuneration schemes, said a DAP senator.

Dr RA Lingeshwaran expressed disappointment over the Health Ministry’s approach, which remains committed to setting up the commission while acknowledging that the body would lack real power.

“Since 2023, I have been championing the establishment of this commission. If critical powers remain under the Public Service Department and the Finance Ministry, what then is the purpose of this commission?

“This commission should not merely act as a human resource management body. Its scope must be broader and aligned with the reform agenda of the Health White Paper.