KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 — The Public Service Department (PSD) clarified that it has not placed a moratorium on the employment of nurses as health is a critical sector.
The PSD said it approved the Health Ministry’s request for an additional 3,343 nurses in the government sector, out of which 1,200 will be hired this year while the remaining 2,143 training graduates will be appointed in 2020.
“This contract employment is for a period of four years (2 + 2) and the best candidates will be absorbed into permanent employment, subject to job vacancies,” PSD said in a statement.
“Any requests for increased employment by the Health Ministry in future is subject to current human resource policy and the Health Ministry’s financial position.”
New Straits Times reported Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad as saying last month that his ministry had applied for additional nurses to resolve a shortage in government clinics and hospitals, despite a moratorium on their employment.
He said Malaysia had a ratio of one nurse per 300 patients, lower than the World Health Organization’s recommended one nurse per 200 patients.
