MELAKA - The Health Ministry is in the midst of getting the Public Service Department (PSD) to reconsider the freeze on new posts for the ministry.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said this was because it was feared that the freeze would affect the public service delivery system, especially when it involved the opening of new hospitals and clinics.

Citing an example, he said the Shah Alam Hospital which was scheduled to open in September would definitely need new staff to become fully operational.

"When we expand our services by opening new hospitals and clinics, recruitment of new staff must be done and cannot be frozen," he told reporters after opening the National Conference of Malaysian Assistant Medical Officers 2015 here today.

He said this in response to the PSD's announcement on the freeze on new posts as a rationalisation measure to control the size of the civil as implemented in 2008, 2010 and 2011.

Last Friday, PSD in a statement said the freeze of new posts in the civil service would be offset by efforts to increase employment opportunities in the private sector.

In another development, Subramaniam said the papaya leaf juice, which was said to be able to cure dengue fever, could only be recognised as herbal remedy and not as a medication approved by the ministry.

He said this was because the product must undergo various scientific processes and clinical test before it can be recognised and approved.

Source: Bernama