When Budget 2026 was announced, the headlines sounded optimistic. "Doctors get 40% on-call allowance hike!" "Healthcare sector strengthened!" It almost felt like Malaysia was finally rewarding its overworked medical frontliners. But talk to anyone actually in the system — doctors, nurses, pharmacists, or even IT professionals who support hospital systems — and you'll hear a different story. Because when you look closer, that "40% raise" isn't the victory it's made out to be. It's a mirage.

