Dr Sim: Sarawak in need of more nurses

SIBU: Sarawak is in dire need of more nurses to cater to acute and specialised care, as well as to be placed in rural clinics, said State Deputy Premier, Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian.

"Currently, the nurse services ratio stands at 3.16 per 1,000 residents based on Sarawak's population of 2,907,500 people in 2020.

"This is far less than the ratio of most developing countries, which is eight nurses for every 1,000 residents," he said in his speech, which was read out by Bukit Asek assemblyman Joseph Chieng, during the opening of the 2023 Sarawak Nursing Conference (SNC).

Dr Sim said 93.86 per cent or 6,146 of the trained nurse positions offered under the Sarawak State Health Department have been filled.

However, he said only 1,874 community nurse (JM) positions out of the 2,875 available vacancies have been filled.

Dr Sim, who is also the State Local Government Minister, pointed out that nurses in Sarawak lack opportunities for senior-level promotions.

"Even if they are promoted, they would have to serve in the Peninsula, away from their families."

In this regard, he urged the Health Ministry to consider creating more senior nursing positions in Sarawak to enable senior nurses to remain at home and serve the state.

Dr Sim also highlighted the shortage of nurses in rural areas due to the cessation of recruitment and training of JMs since 2015, as well as the delay in upgrading JM posts to trained nurses.

"JMs who have attended training to become trained nurses more than two years ago have yet to be appointed to the position," he said. -- BERNAMA