Saying hello: Dzulkefly (second from right) and Nanta (fifth from left) greeting health workers during the Hospital Seri Iskandar project handover ceremony. — Bernama
SERI ISKANDAR: The adjustment of working hours to 45 hours a week for nurses from Dec 1 will not disrupt their work-life balance or impact their welfare, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
The Health Minister said this adjustment is in line with the General Order Chapter G (SSPA), which involves reducing the current 46-hour mandate by one hour.
“The shift schedules at hospitals are currently around 42 hours per week, which is not compliant.
“Implementing the 45-hour work week with flexibility would mean working four to six days a week, with one to three days off a week,” he said.
The working hours will not exceed 12 hours a day.
“Additionally, a one-hour break is provided. This has been carefully considered and we are also taking into account the importance of proper rest.
“The welfare and work-life balance will be given due attention,” he said at the handover ceremony of the Hospital Seri Iskandar project and the Hospital Seri Manjung additional block here yesterday.
On Wednesday, Hartal Doktor Kontrak criticised the new directive, which requires an additional three working hours per week for ward nurses.
Meanwhile, Dzulkefly said the 24-hour emergency services at the Tanjung Malim Health Clinic will not continue due to conflicting policies and the facility’s capabilities.
“The emergency services provided at the clinic are only meant for hospitals with the necessary facilities and manpower.
“According to guidelines, health clinics fall under public health services, which are not meant to handle emergencies, but are instead under the purview of hospitals,” he said.
He said the Tanjung Malim Health Clinic will continue its normal operations from 8am to 5pm, and patients needing care after 5pm will be advised to contact the clinic for non-emergency issues like stomach aches or fever.
On Nov 18, Perak exco member A. Sivanesan said the issue had been brought to the Health Ministry. The closure of the clinic’s 24-hour services since Aug 1 had caused inconvenience to local residents, who had to travel approximately 30km to the Slim River Hospital for emergency care after 5pm.
On another matter, Dzulkefly said the RM153.18mil Hospital Seri Iskandar will begin operations on Dec 11 following its completion on Oct 28 since work began on Jan 29, 2021.
“For the operation of this hospital, 516 new positions have been approved, including 22 medical officer posts, 97 assistant medical officers, 137 nurses and 260 positions for other service schemes,” he said at the event, which was also attended by Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
Dzulkefly added that Hospital Seri Iskandar will continue the role of Hospital Changkat Melintang as a non-lead hospital, with specialised services provided by Hospital Seri Manjung, which acts as the lead hospital.
Hospital Changkat Melintang will continue to operate as a step-down ward and is currently being evaluated for its potential to become a haemodialysis centre.
On the completion of the additional block at Hospital Seri Manjung at a cost of RM75mil on Aug 27, he said the block is scheduled to begin operations on Jan 13, 2025. The additional block has 48 additional beds, four surgery halls and a psychiatric ward.
