KUALA LUMPUR: Vacancies for nurses at government health facilities stood at 6,787 positions as of March 31.
In a parliamentary reply yesterday, the Health Ministry said the vacancies include both existing positions and new positions resulting from upgrades and the construction of new health facilities.
"The ministry is currently undergoing a hiring process through the Public Service Commission to ensure an adequate number of nurses in its facilities.
"The recruitment process will be conducted in phases and will include graduates of Diploma in Nursing from public and private higher learning institutions, as well as graduates from the Health Ministry Training Institute (ILKKM).
"In addition to the efforts to fill positions, the ministry has also increased the number of intake of Diploma in Nursing trainees at ILKKM from 1,000 trainees to 2,000 trainees.
"Furthermore, the offer to community nurses for the Promotion by Appointment (PSL) programme has been increased from 800 to 1,000 individuals annually."
The ministry said this in response to Sim Tze Tzin (PH-Bayan Baru) who asked about the action taken by the ministry to deal with the resignation of nurses and its plan to fill the relatively large number of vacant positions for nurses.
The ministry said it is concerned with the healthcare workers leaving their positions to work elsewhere, outside the ministry.
"This challenge is also encountered by private healthcare facilities, where staff occasionally resign to pursue opportunities in other healthcare settings, domestically or internationally.
"The ministry does not take this matter lightly, due to its potential to disrupt the continuity of healthcare service delivery.
"As such, the ministry is actively pursuing several initiatives to address the issue, including enhancing work environments and reviewing both monetary and non-monetary incentives and facilities.
"These efforts are aimed at retaining healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, within the ministry's service."
Last month, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the shortage of nurses in the nursing field was projected to be close to 60 per cent by 2030.