Number and Percentage of Doctors Resigning from Public Hospitals Within Their Bond Periods in Past Five Years

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Health for each year in the past five years, what is the number and percentage of doctors who resign from public hospitals (i) within one year of completing their bonds (ii) within two years of completing their bonds and (iii) within three years of completing their bonds respectively.

MOH only has data on attrition of doctors by their age. Over the past five years:

Among 29 year olds, attrition rate went up from 4% in 2018 to 6% in 2019, then dropped to 2% in 2020 and 2021;

Among the 30 year olds, it was 8% in 2018 to 10% in 2019, then 5% to 6% in the last two years; and

Among the 31 year olds, it was from 6% in 2017, 9% in 2018, then 3% to 4% in the last two years.

There are many factors that affect attrition, including morale, job satisfaction, work conditions, and most importantly, a sense of mission. This explains why during the COVID-19 pandemic during the past two years, attrition rate generally dropped for doctors. We will continue to monitor these factors closely, and engage with staff to improve them, and address any issues.