KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry will temporarily ease the requirements for private healthcare facilities to hire trained foreign nurses for a period of 12 months starting Oct 1, subject to conditions.
Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the relaxing of rules was made following a review by the government on the hiring of trained foreign nurses, as stated in the Employment Criteria for Foreign Trained Nurses in Malaysia 2018.
"The lack of nurses in the public and private sectors has a major impact on the effective delivery of health services in the country, and this matter has long been raised by various associations in the private medical industry and it should be urgently addressed.
"The rather restrictive criteria on the recruitment of trained foreign nurses by the private sector, as stated in the Employment Criteria for Foreign Trained Nurses in Malaysia 2018, has been reviewed and given temporary conditional relaxation, in the interest of a more sustainable and competitive service," she said in a statement today.
Dr Zaliha said these foreign nurses would be required to sit for the Malaysian Nursing Board Qualification Examination for Foreign Trained Nurses, set by the Malaysian Nursing Board.
Their employment would only be valid for 12 months starting Oct 1, 2023 until Sept 30, 2024.
She added that an extension of service would be allowed for another 12 months, subject to approval of their temporary practising certificates, and would be evaluated based on the current situation and needs.
"The number of trained foreign nurses in each private health facility must not exceed 40 per cent of the total number of nurses they employ.
"The hiring of the trained foreign nurses must also comply with the conditions set by the Home Ministry, including the remuneration details and contract duration."
She said the ministry's decision had been well-received by the private medical industry as it would optimise their services and operations.
With this, she added, private healthcare facilities would be more prepared to support the Health Ministry to meet the healthcare needs of the people through public-private partnerships.
"The Health Ministry expects this move to yield a positive impact on various sectors such as the health tourism industry, further stimulating the country's economic growth.
"However, the Health Ministry continues to prioritise the welfare and career prospects of local nurses, who have always been committed in providing the best healthcare service to Malaysians.
"Therefore, the Health Ministry will implement a permanent intake of nursing diploma graduates from public and private institutions in phases in 2024 and 2025."
Dr Zaliha added that this was to ensure that the need for nurses in government healthcare facilities were being filled and to ensure job opportunities for local nurses.