SHAH ALAM: The Health Ministry (MOH) has submitted about 2,000 to 3,000 contract nurse applications to be absorbed into permanent positions this year.
Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the applications were submitted to the Public Service Department (JPA) for approval.
However, he said the final number of applications accepted for permanent positions was entirely up to JPA.
He said MOH had a need to increase the number of existing nurses, which has so far reached 165,000, taking into account the building of many new healthcare facilities, including hospitals and health clinics, including in rural areas.
“Following that, we have applied to JPA for additional contract nurses to be absorbed into permanent positions,” he told Bernama after launching International Nurses Day 2023 at the Setia City Convention Centre here yesterday, which was attended by more than 2,000 nurses from all over the country.
Lukanisman said the nursing field required continuous improvement, including the issue of staffing, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic that hit the country.
“The recruitment of contract nurses has been considered by MOH in phases if the additional appeal is approved. We are also doing a mapping process to optimise staffing, whether they are doctors, nurses or medical officers,” he said.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the sacrifice made by nurses and their role in taking care of the health of Malaysians would always be appreciated.
In conjunction with International Nurses Day, Dr Zaliha also hoped that all nurses would continue to work hard and improve the quality of health services in the country.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the nurses serving in Malaysia. Thank you for the patience, perseverance and sacrifices that you have made throughout your career.
“You have all shown the spirit of cooperation and dedication in carrying out your duties and responsibilities,” she said on her Facebook page.
Dr Zaliha said nurses were important in ensuring that patients received quality and professional treatment.
According to her, nurses were also guardians of the well-being of patients in hospitals, health centres and clinics throughout the country.
“I would like to wish Happy International Nurses Day to all nurses in Malaysia. May this day be a reminder to all of us of how important the role of nurses is in taking care of the health of Malaysians,” she said.
