ISKANDAR PUTERI: A total of 64 nurses have reportedly left Johor’s public healthcare service between January and Oct this year for various reasons, including taking up jobs in Singapore, says state exco Ling Tian Soon.
The state health and environment committee chairman said other reasons include moving to the private sector and family or health-related matters.
"The departures, though not drastic, have added pressure to Johor’s overall manpower needs as the state prepares to operate several new healthcare facilities including Hospital Pasir Gudang," he said on the sidelines of the state assembly sitting at Kota Iskandar here on Monday (Nov 17).
Ling said Johor currently has 29,731 public healthcare positions overall, with 4,648 vacancies.
"Of these, 2,547 posts have been temporarily filled with contract staff, giving the state about 92% to 93% manpower coverage.
"Nurses remain the most affected group, with Johor facing a shortage of around 1,700 nurses," he said, adding that it is not a critical situation, but it is a challenge for the public healthcare system.
Ling added that the state has also proposed special incentive packages to the Health Ministry to help retain nurses, especially those working in southern Johor near the Singapore border and was told that it is still being considered.
