KOTA KINABALU, Oct. 31 -- Sabah is facing a shortage of nearly 245 medical officers following the implementation of the Phase 2 Permanent Appointment exercise on September 28, with Ranau Hospital among the healthcare facilities affected by the transfer of existing medical officers.

The Sabah State Health Department (Sabah JKN) said the shortage was partly due to 67 per cent of replacement candidates from outside Sabah failed to report for duty after accepting offers of permanent appointment, hindering efforts to fill vacancies in the state.

Ranau Hospital is currently operating with only nine medical officers, including the hospital director, after 11 of its 19 medical officers were transferred out under the exercise.

"Although the Min...