JOHOR BARU: Pulai member of parliament Suhaizan Kaiat has called on the Health Ministry to postpone the implementation of a 45-hour workweek for hospital staff, citing concerns over increased stress and the risk of burnout among healthcare workers.
The new policy, initially set to take effect on Dec 1, would add three extra working hours per week for hospital staff.
Speaking during the parliamentary committee debate on the Health Ministry's budget on Nov 26, Suhaizan said the current workload already placed immense pressure on hospital staff, particularly nurses.
He said many workers had reported feeling overwhelmed, with some experiencing accidents while commuting due to exhaustion.
"The additional three hours per week amount to 12 extra hours per month, equivalent to more than a full workday," he said.
"This is time that should be spent with their families, but instead, it will be used for work."
Suhaizan also raised concerns about the lack of guaranteed rest periods during these extended hours, particularly in high-pressure hospital environments, where nurses are often unable to take breaks due to patient emergencies.
He welcomed the health minister's response in Parliament, in which he assured a review of the proposed regulation.
Suhaizan recommended that the ministry issue a directive to delay the policy's implementation to ensure a more conducive working environment for healthcare workers.
"The priority should be to create a comfortable and supportive work environment for hospital staff to reduce burnout, which affects nearly 60 per cent of them," he said in a statement today.
Suhaizan expressed hope that deferring the regulation would provide some relief to hospital staff, emphasising their crucial role in delivering quality healthcare to the nation.
Earlier, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad announced a new directive mandating ward nurses to clock additional three working hours per week.
However, five nursing associations have called for the directive to be delayed, citing insufficient staffing and heightened risks of stress, exhaustion and burnout among healthcare workers.