Malaysian nurses not affected by moratorium

The health sector in Malaysia is in need of nurses, given its ratio of one nurse per 300 patients, as opposed to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) optimal one nurse per 200 patients. The country’s Public Service Department (PSD) has not imposed a moratorium on the appointment of nurses but approved the education and training of some 3,340 nurses within the next year.

Around 1,200 nurses would be taken in this year while the remaining 2,143 nurses undergoing training at the ministry’s institutes are to be hired on a two-plus-two year contract – those with a good work ethic will be permanently absorbed by the training institution.

The PSD said any additional requests for new nurses would depend on the government’s human resources policy and the ministry’s financial standing.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry had applied to PSD for approval of more nurses to government clinics and hospitals due to an unforeseen shortage in distribution.He also said that there were currently 3,500 unemployed nurses but only 980 vacancies available, and so hopes for a favourable response from PSD.

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