State Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said only 41 per cent of the total 2,271 posts have been filled so far, involving 929 staff.

He said the hospital is currently operating with its existing manpower, with priority given to recruitment efforts to enable all wards to be fully opened.

“At present, HPG is operating 14 clinical services, including the emergency department, general surgery, paediatrics and orthopaedics. The hospital has 304 beds, but only 157 beds in nine out of 14 wards are currently operational (due to manpower shortages).

“Hence, we are targeting full operation of all beds by September this year once the staffing exercise is completed,” he told a press conference on the sidelines of the Johor State Legislative Assembly sitting at the Sultan Ismail Building, Kota Iskandar, here today.

He said the state government, together with the Health Ministry (MOH), is strengthening efforts to deploy healthcare personnel, including medical officers, medical assistants and nurses, in phases.

The operational issue at HPG has also drawn the attention of Johor Regent Tunku Mahkota Ismail, who decreed at the opening of the state assembly sitting on Thursday that the hospital’s operationalisation process be expedited for the benefit of the people in the state.

Ling also expressed his highest appreciation to His Royal Highness for his concern in raising the matter, which has in turn driven the state government’s efforts to further strengthen Johor’s healthcare delivery system.

Source: Bernama