KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Medical Association has urged swift action to address critical healthcare manpower shortages in Sabah and Sarawak, welcoming proposals by Senator Dr R.A. Lingeshwaran to strengthen the workforce in both states.

MMA president Dr L. Sivanaesan said many of the measures were consistent with solutions MMA had previously mooted, but these must now be backed by funding and a firm implementation timeline.

"The solutions are already on the table. What is needed now is the political will, adequate funding and a firm implementation timeline.

"Hospitals operating with only a handful of medical officers cannot afford to wait for another committee, another review or another announcement that the matter is being looked into," he told the New Straits Times.