PETALING JAYA: Priority should be given to Malaysian citizens to fill existing vacancies and any newly created positions, says the Malayan Nurses Union (MNU).
“I urge the government to re-examine where the shortcomings lie that have led to our country needing to recruit healthcare workers, particularly nurses, from overseas,” said MNU president Noor Aini Abu Hashim.
Indonesia’s ambassador to Malaysia, Datuk Raden Mohammad Iman Hascarya Kusumo, reportedly said the republic is prepared to supply up to 15,000 nurses to Malaysia if required.
She said the critical shortage of nurses stemmed from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Currently, Malaysia is short of some 14,000 nurses.
“I believe there are still many Malaysians who are interested in pursuing nursing as a career, and there are also graduates from both public and private higher education institutions who have completed their nursing studies but are not currently employed in the profession,” she said.
In addition, the government should ensure that the expansion of healthcare services at existing facilities is matched by an increase in the number of nurses on duty, rather than relying solely on the current workforce to support additional operations, Noor Aini added.
“In recent years, a number of new health centres, clinics and hospitals have been opened together with approved staffing allocations.
“However, I sincerely hope that before any new facility becomes operational, the government and the relevant authorities ensure that sufficient manpower is in place,” she said.
She said failure to do so may lead to burnout among nurses which in turn will spur a brain drain.
“For those who consider this issue insignificant, it is important to recognise that it has long-term implications, as we are witnessing today. When nurses’ concerns and demands are not addressed or heard, it indirectly discourages young people from choosing nursing as a career,” she said.
Consequently, despite the availability of training places, the number of applicants may remain low or nursing may be viewed only as a last-choice career option, she said.
Noor Aini suggested several recruitment strategies, including relaxing the entry requirements for trainee nurses, abolishing the psychometric test for government-sponsored recruitment programmes as many applicants fail at this stage, accelerating the recruitment process conducted by the relevant government agencies and the Health Ministry, as well as offering more attractive employment opportunities and benefits, among others.
As for retention strategies, she said the government should look at improving salaries, allowances and other employment benefits, provide a clear and structured career progression pathway and increase the number of post-basic nursing training opportunities, which are currently limited.
“In addition to lowering the academic requirements set by the relevant authorities for trainee recruitment, I would also suggest reviewing the recruitment process for trainees and public sector employees, particularly by abolishing or simplifying the psychometric test requirement,” she said.
“Many applicants fail this assessment. Some have sat for the test more than five times and still unsuccessful. This raises the question of whether it is truly essential as part of the recruitment criteria.”
