KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 – Opposition lawmaker Dr Alias Razak has voiced concerns about the continuous work pressure on public health care workers, saying there have been no signs of relief since the unity government was formed last December.
The Kuala Nerus MP, who is a member of the Health parliamentary special select committee (PSSC), found it baffling that although the nation produces thousands of medical graduates each year, many health care facilities across the country still face a shortage of doctors.
“The government invests millions in their education every year, but when they complete their studies, there are very few positions available for them in public health care institutions.
“Some have to wait for months or even years before being called for employment. In a situation where there are insufficient doctors everywhere, why are there still so many doctors who are not absorbed into permanent positions? Why are medical graduates still struggling to find jobs?” said Dr Alias during his debate on the 2024 Budget last October 23.
Dr Alias also requested an explanation on the government’s decision to allow the hiring of foreign nurses in private health care facilities.
“It has been reported that private health care facilities are allowed to hire foreign nurses, accounting for up to 40 per cent of the total nursing capacity in their facilities. I request an explanation from the government on the justification for hiring foreign nurses.
“How many local students graduating from public and private nursing colleges are produced every year? Until now, how many nursing graduates have not been given placements yet?
“Although the hiring of foreign nurses is subject to the terms and conditions set by the government, I believe the MOH should prioritise local graduates in relevant courses to fill existing vacancies before opening the doors to foreign workers in the country’s health care sector,” Dr Alias said.
Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa last month announced that the MOH decided to exempt the post basic qualification requirement for private health care facilities to hire foreign trained nurses, due to chronic nursing shortages in private hospitals.
The exemption is effective from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024; service extension is permitted for 12 months, based on approval of the foreign nurse’s temporary practising licence.
Other conditions for the post basic qualification exemption for foreign nurses include sitting for the Malaysian Nursing Board Qualification Examination for Foreign Trained Nurses.
Meanwhile, Dr Alias also highlighted the need to upgrade existing health care facilities in Terengganu and ensure the completion of those under construction.
The Opposition MP pointed out that Terengganu currently has only one major hospital adequately equipped to handle critical cases, and even then, it falls short of the facilities available in neighbouring states like Kelantan and Pahang.
“What is disheartening is that any critical complications in district hospitals across Terengganu must be transferred to Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital (HSNZ) in Kuala Terengganu, which is the only fully-equipped hospital in the state.
“Some patients even have to be relocated to other states, either to Kota Bharu or Kuantan,” said Dr Alias, who once served as Kemaman Hospital director. “The distance involved in these patient transfers undoubtedly puts the patients’ wellbeing in jeopardy.”
