The government aims to recruit 15,000 nurses for public hospitals nationwide this year to strengthen the country’s healthcare workforce.
The plan was a proactive response to increasing staffing shortages in the healthcare industry, says Deputy Health Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib.
She said the role of nurses today extended beyond clinical responsibilities to include providing emotional support to patients.
“Nurses not only ensure the smooth delivery of treatment, but also serve as a source of emotional strength for patients.
“This is especially so when they (patients) are going through difficult times without the presence of family members,” she said when launching the Nursing Diploma and Simulation Laboratory Programme at Methodist Pilley Institute (MPI) in Sibu, Sarawak.
According to Hanifah, the rising demand for nurses was driven by demographic changes in the country, including an ageing population and the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
“This situation requires continuous monitoring and more intensive long-term care, thereby increasing demand for sufficient nursing personnel.”
Hanifah, who is Mukah MP, also commended MPI for introducing the nursing diploma programme, saying it aligned with the national need for skilled healthcare workers.
“This programme not only creates greater educational opportunities, but also provides a clear career pathway for students in the field of nursing.”
She also emphasised the importance of strategic collaboration between education institutions and the private healthcare sector.
Hanifah said the partnership between MPI and Rejang Medical Centre, as well as Borneo Medical Centre through the signing of a memorandum of understanding, served as a model to be emulated.
“This initiative offers full sponsorships and allowances to students, thereby ensuring employment opportunities upon graduation,” she said.
She added that such collaborations could have a significant impact not only on the development of the healthcare workforce, but also on strengthening the country’s overall public health system.
Also present at the event were Senator Robert Lau Hui Yew, MPI board of directors chairman Paul Wong Hee Kwong, his deputy Dr Peter Tang, Rejang Medical Centre representative Dr Lau Ngiik Chuong and Borneo Medical Centre representative Dr John Chew.
