Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Health (MOH) is actively exploring strategies to increase the number of nurses, including leveraging both its own training institutions and the private sector, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib announced. She emphasized the importance of specialized care training to meet the growing needs of an aging population.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Deputy Minister highlighted the ministry's commitment to enhancing the nursing workforce by encouraging specialized care training during the nurses' educational journey. This initiative aims to better prepare nurses for the demands of an aging society, while simultaneously addressing the ongoing shortage of nursing professionals. Efforts are underway to expedite solutions to this shortage.

Previous reports in the media revealed that Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad had acknowledged the shortage of nurses as a legacy issue, stemming from a past moratorium and the closure of several Health Ministry Training Institutes (ILKKM). This has resulted in a deficiency of nurses, including those with post-basic specialization, across both public and private sectors.

Additionally, Hanifah Hajar mentioned that the Ministry of Health is focused on strengthening cooperation with private sector medical facilities and nursing education institutions to better meet the healthcare needs of the elderly. This collaboration is deemed crucial as Malaysia advances towards becoming an aging nation, with an anticipated increase in the demand for geriatric services.

The Deputy Minister stressed the importance of collaboration with both government and private health facilities, as well as educational institutions, to enhance existing capabilities in elderly care. The goal is to ensure that the responsibility of providing quality healthcare does not rest solely with the government, but also involves private hospitals.

Media reports indicate Malaysia currently faces a significant challenge in providing healthcare for its elderly population, with only 67 geriatric specialists available for approximately 4.1 million people aged 60 and above. This situation leads to a concerning ratio of one specialist for every 60,000 senior citizens, raising questions about the healthcare system's capacity to manage the increasing demands of an aging population.