JOHOR BARU: There is a misconception that private medical centres and hospitals operating in the country prefer to employ foreign nurses, instead of Malaysians, because of their cheaper wages.
Gleneagles Hospital Johor chief executive officer Dr Kamal Amzan, who is also IHH Hospital Malaysia regional CEO (southern and eastern) clarified that the challenges private healthcare centres face go beyond wages.
"There are several complex issues in the country's healthcare sector which have been overlooked, including challenges in addressing the severe shortage of nurses.
"When private healthcare institutions hire foreign nurses, it is not solely because they are cheaper, but mainly due to a severe shortage of local talent," he said.
He added that the solution to this highly debated matter in recent times was not as simple as merely increasing wages to attract Malaysian nurses.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad has projected that the nurse shortage could reach close to 60 per cent by 2030, if pre-emptive measures are not taken immediately.
The ministry has also predicted a deficit of 8,000 nurses within the next two years, making the hiring of foreign nurses a necessity rather than a preference.
"Nursing is not a popular career choice in this country, with many opting for medicine, engineering and law-related courses instead," Dr Kamal said.
"Individuals who choose nursing often face financial burdens, as funding mechanisms do not fully cover tuition fees."
He attributed financial hurdles as among the reasons for the diminishing pool of Malaysian candidates available for recruitment.
"Contrary to critics' claims and the belief that private hospitals bypass Malaysian nurses for cheaper foreign labour, the reality is that these institutions actually invest heavily in local talent, but it takes time to build the pool as nursing courses take up to three to four years to complete."
He said the private healthcare sector had invested millions of ringgit in sponsoring Malaysian nursing students, providing stipends and taking on their medical training expenses.
"Their salaries, too, were adjusted to be competitive with, and sometimes even exceeded, those of university graduates in other fields.
"The efforts extend beyond individual hospitals to broader initiatives," he added.
In Johor, efforts to expand nursing education and allied health courses in local institutions are ongoing.
These initiatives have yielded positive results — educational institutions that contemplated relocation to other regions have decided against it.
While critics argue that employing foreign nurses is purely a financial decision, they fail to realise the pressure hospitals face to provide top-notch medical care while keeping the cost low.
"The fiscal realities of running a healthcare institution in today's economic climate cannot be overstated.
"Hospitals operate under stringent financial constraints while striving to deliver high-quality care without spiralling costs," Dr Kamal said.
Hospitals must balance financial constraints with providing quality care, as well as cater to foreign medical tourists, which are crucial to Malaysia's economy.
Dr Kamal said the reliance on foreign nurses is a pragmatic response to these challenges, ensuring a robust healthcare system for all.
"The issue is not about preferring foreign nurses but addressing a critical shortage.
"Public support is vital to sustain and improve healthcare services, regardless of the caregivers' origins."
Malaysia's healthcare system also serves many foreign medical tourists, adding to the demand for nurses.
This dual responsibility necessitates the integration of foreign nurses to ensure adequate staffing.
Dr Kamal reiterated that the accusation that private hospitals prefer foreign nurses to local talent is unfair.
"Hiring foreign nurses is a practical solution to a serious shortage to ensure that the healthcare system is able to serve and meet the needs of everyone in Malaysia," he said, adding that public empathy and understanding are also crucial.
He said such claims tend to miss the bigger picture — the hard work put in to train and hire local nurses.
"The citizenship of nurses should not be an issue, instead the focus should be on their standards, while ensuring that the healthcare system is future-ready and robust enough to serve those in need.
"As Malaysia deals with these challenges, both the healthcare sector and the public are responsible.
"Both need to support solutions that sustain and enhance the provision of care, despite the origin of the nurses." Dr Kamal added.