Johor bahru: The shortage of nurses in the government healthcare system in Johor has been described as worrying by Ling Tiang Soon, the state Health and Environment Committee chairman. He emphasized that while the situation is not yet critical, the need for nurses remains urgent, with approximately 1,700 nurses required to meet the demands of existing healthcare facilities and upcoming projects in the region.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ling highlighted the challenges faced in achieving full operational capacity at facilities such as the Pasir Gudang Hospital due to the lack of nursing staff. He noted that this issue is not unique to Johor, as other states are experiencing similar challenges. He explained that the process of training nurses and certifying them through the Nursing Board of Malaysia is extensive, making it impossible to address the shortage immediately.

In response to the situation, a joint task force has been formed between the Johor government and the Ministry of Health (MOH). This collaboration aims to address various challenges, including facility upgrades, preparations for new hospitals, and the issue of human resource shortages. Ling mentioned that the task force has compiled detailed data to help the ministry devise strategies to increase the number of nurses allocated to Johor. He also revealed that from January to August this year, 64 nurses resigned for various reasons.

Ling expressed gratitude to the nurses who continue to serve in the public healthcare system and reassured that the state government is committed to finding the best ways to enhance their welfare. As of last month, Johor's health sector comprised 29,731 positions, with 4,648 vacancies, 2,547 of which were filled through the appointment of contract officers.