KUALA LUMPUR: Issues concerning staffing and grade promotions for community nurses, including the appointments of more than 1,000 individuals who have yet to receive their appointments, will be raised during the Dewan Negara sitting scheduled to begin on Nov 30.
Senator Dr RA Lingeshwaran (pic) said the matter was important to ensure that the welfare and career progression of community nurses continued to be strengthened, in line with their contributions to the country's healthcare system.
"Community nurses who possess the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) qualification and a professional certificate after completing two years and six months of training should be considered for promotion from Grade U1 to U3.
"I will also ensure that community nurses who have completed the Advanced Bachelor's Integrated Programme (PBSL) are given opportunities for promotion before the next general election," he said at a dinner held in conjunction with the 2026 National Community Nurses Convention here Saturday (Oct 31) night.
Also present were Health Ministry Nursing Division director N. Gowry and Peninsular Malaysia Government Midwives and Community Nurses Union (KBJMKSM) president Nurul Jannah Md Yusof.
Lingeshwaran also said he would propose allowing nurses to wear sports shoes while on duty and consider the use of scrubs as an alternative to the existing white uniforms.
Meanwhile, Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (CUEPACS) president Datuk Dr Adnan Mat proposed that the government consider standardising community nurses' grades from Grade 1 to Grade U5 under the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA).
He said community nurses holding certificates in the field had undergone two and a half years of training, and the training period could be extended by another six months to align their qualifications with the requirements for Grade U5.
He said that despite holding Grade U1 positions, community nurses consistently provided the best possible services to the public, including amid limited facilities and challenging working environments.
He also described the sacrifices of healthcare personnel who lost their lives in the helicopter crash in Sarawak as a reminder that the contributions of these frontline workers must be duly recognised. - Bernama
