Lee (third from left) announcing the nursing diploma sponsorship programme. From left are Dr Mahadevan, Koo, Hon, Tan, Norshafini, Cheah and Kartigayan.
Sponsorship aims to draw school-leavers to the profession
Nurses are the backbone of healthcare systems and play a key role in advancing medical care.
To encourage Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) school-leavers to join the profession, the Negri Sembilan Chinese Maternity Association (NSCMA) unveiled a RM13mil sponsorship programme.
The association, which owns Seremban’s CMH Specialist Hospital and CMH Dialysis Care, aims to sponsor 50 nursing students annually to pursue a three-year diploma in nursing.
NSCMA president Datuk Seri Lee Tian Hock unveiled the sponsorship programme at a celebratory dinner to mark International Nurses Day.
Lee said nursing was a calling that required compassion, expertise and dedication.
Nurses at NSCMA’s medical centres had met challenges head-on, helping to navigate trying times, he noted.
“The success and achievements of CMH Specialist Hospital and CMH Dialysis Care would not have been possible without the invaluable support and expertise of our dedicated team of 246 nurses.
“In response to the global nursing shortage and to prepare for our hospital’s expansion plan, I am delighted to announce our initiative to sponsor the diploma in nursing programme for SPM school-leavers,” he said at the event in Bandar Sri Sendayan, Seremban.
Expressing hope that the initiative would produce 150 nursing graduates by 2028, Lee said 42 students had already been recruited into the pilot programme.
The sponsorship includes guaranteed employment for five years, monthly allowance, medical benefits, free hostel accommodation, and uniform.
“Our goal is to recruit 50 students annually, aiming to reach 150 students by 2028 – the target date for the opening of the new hospital block,” he said.
Lee added that the RM13mil investment reflected NSCMA’s commitment to nurturing a diverse pool of skilled professionals to meet the growing needs of the hospital’s patients.
The expansion of CMH Specialist Hospital involving the construction of a 10-storey block is expected to increase the number of beds from 66 to 150.
At the dinner, nurses had the opportunity to let their hair down and also treated guests to dance and music performances.
CMH Specialist Hospital chief nursing officer Norshafini Othman said the celebration was beneficial to boost staff morale.
“It’s nice to be appreciated, as nursing is a tough job that involves a lot of multi-tasking.
“Motivated nurses translate into better quality patient care,” she said.
The event culminated in a cake-cutting ceremony and presentation of certificates to nurses who recently completed specialisation and skills-based courses.
Also present were NSCMA vice-president Datuk Tan Suan Ching and executive advisor Datuk Hon Choon Kim, CMH Specialist Hospital chief executive officer Henderic Koo and medical director Dr Mahadevan Tata, CMH Specialist Hospital chief operating officer and CMH Dialysis Care chief executive officer Cheah Ming Wei and CMH Dialysis Care chief operating officer Kartigayan Arumugam.
Those interested in pursuing the nursing diploma can email career@cmhspecialist.my
