Compiled by CHARLES RAMENDRAN, C. ARUNO and R. ARAVINTHAN
A MAJOR shortage of drivers, including ambulance drivers in the Health Ministry, has increased the workload on existing ones, Berita Harian reported.
The report stated that 1,176 more vehicle drivers were needed nationwide to ease the workload and burnout especially among ambulance drivers, with the vacancies expected to persist until next April.
The shortage stemmed from delays in recruitment following a temporary suspension of hiring by the Public Service Commission in 2024 to facilitate the implementation of the new Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA).
The ministry said with the driving competency test on new hires having been completed last week, fresh recruitment is expected to be carried out in stages from April.
A workers union of the ministry raised the workload issue and urged the ministry to address the shortage ahead of the arrival of 400 new ambulances announced under Budget 2027.
> A study has revealed that many Malaysian children face “hidden hunger” and suffer certain nutrient deficiencies that can affect their physical growth, cognitive development, and long-term health, the daily also reported.
The Seanuts II Malaysia study, which involved 2,989 children aged between six months and 12.9 years, also revealed that malnutrition caused 8.9% of them to experience stunting, 6.7% being underweight, 9.2% being overweight and 8.8% being obese.
Lead researcher Prof Dr Poh Bee Koon of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia stressed the need to address food quality, physical activity, screen time and sleep among children to help alleviate the issue.
The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.
