Address growing nurse vacancies at public hospitals, MCA veep tells MoH

THE Health Ministry (MoH) needs to view seriously the vacancies for nurses at public hospitals that have escalated from 10% to 40% in the four years since our country was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

MCA vice-president Datuk Lawrence Low said the latest figure of 6,896 vacancies in 2023 that have yet to be filled will affect the existing nurses in terms of workload. 

“The additional time, energy and mental pressure could potentially reduce the quality of service and expound the desire to quit the government service for greener pastures in the private sector or overseas or to switch careers altogether.

“To retain nurses in the civil service, the government should consider increasing the salaries and allowances of nurses. 

“The government should also improve the workplace environment, such as providing rest and meals during overtime work, or childcare facilities and others as an initial measure,” he said in a statement.

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) had earlier said that many nurses left their jobs at the MoH in pursuit of higher-paying work, better incentives and less pressure offered by countries like neighbouring Singapore and Australia and the West Asian region. 

The Health Ministry also informed parliament last month that vacancies for nurses stood at 2,106 in 2020, increasing to 2,224 in 2021 and 4,420 in 2022; and the latest figure as of last year was 6,896.

“By providing more nurse training facilities, especially in rural areas, the government would be encouraging more school leavers to take up nursing as a profession.

“To overcome the vacancies in the short term, the government, among other things, could offer attractive contract positions to nurses who have retired or quit their jobs, as well as hire part-time workers for less technical work.

“At the same time, I hope that the government through the MoH will always cooperate closely and listen to the views of various parties such as the MMA, medical experts and those involved in healthcare and medical services,” he said. 

By enabling this important group to be always given space in engagement sessions, Low said the government would ensure that every policy or decision to be implemented comprehensively reflects the various angles for the benefit of the country. – The Vibes, April 16, 2024.