A TOTAL 440 professionals from the Ministry of Health (MoH) migrated abroad between 2020 and 2024, involving five specialists, 54 medical officers and 381 nurses.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the number was based on the officers' declarations in their resignation notices to their respective heads of departments.
He said the main factors were more competitive salary offers in developed countries as well as a higher foreign exchange rates against the ringgit.
"The issue of migration of talent and professional workers abroad is new and also occurs in other developing countries
"The main factor behind the migration is that competitive salary offers are influenced by the higher exchange rate of foreign currencies to the ringgit, especially in developed or high-income countries.
"Currently, the salaries and incentives offered by the government to civil servants, including MOH health workers, are in line with the country's current income and fiscal position," he said in a written reply in Parliament.
He was responding to a question from Senator Datuk Ros Suryati Alang on the number of migrations of local medical professionals, including nurses, abroad between 2020 and now.
To curb the issue, Dr Dzulkefly said MoH was implementing various initiatives, including the continuous recruitment of health workers.
Throughout 2020 to 2024, he said a total 4,776 medical specialists were gazetted, in addition to the permanent appointment of 13,349 contract medical officers and 8,121 new nurses.
In addition, the Ministry of Health also introduced a salary adjustment for civil servants with an eight percent increase on December 1, 2024 and another seven percent on January 1, 2026.
"MOH from time to time will continue to implement engagement sessions with central agencies to improve incentives and benefits for health workers.
"MOH is committed to continuing to preserve the country's health system that is more sustainable, inclusive and resilient for the well-being of the people and health workers in the future," he said. - September 3, 2025
