The Ministry of Health (MOH) aims to increase the output of nursing graduates from public universities and private higher education institutions (IPTS), following the end of a 2010 moratorium on new Diploma in Nursing programmes.
Deputy Minister of Health Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said that 15 IPTS have already begun offering new diplomas in nursing programmes, since the Ministry of Higher Education moratorium ended on Aug 1, 2024.
He said that to strengthen the workforce in health facilities, MOH has recruited 3,290 medical graduates for postgraduate training this year, appointing them to the UD9-grade Medical Officer position.
Lukanisman added that this year, the ministry has also significantly increased its intake for the Diploma in Nursing at its training institute (ILKKM). The number of trainees has risen to 3,343, compared to just 935 recruited in 2023.
“Overall, as of September 2025, a total of 6,059 Diploma in Nursing trainees, comprising intakes from 2023 through to 2025, are currently studying at the institute.
“These trainees will begin phased service between 2026 and 2028, following their graduation and registration with the Malaysian Nursing Board,” he said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara today.
He was responding to a question from Senator Abdul Nasir Idris, who enquired about the government’s strategic measures to address the shortage of doctors and nurses resulting from an increased resignation rate and its impact on district hospitals and rural clinics.
As an immediate step to mitigate the shortage of medical officers and nurses, Lukanisman said the ministry has offered permanent appointments to 4,518 contract medical officers and 3,254 nurses this year.
Next year, he said MOH aims to offer permanent appointments to 4,500 contract medical officers and 935 nursing graduates from ILKKM.
Lukanisman also reported an increase in the resignation rate among medical officers and nurses. An analysis of data from 2022 to 2024 shows the average resignation rate against the annual establishment is approximately 0.84 percent for medical officers and 0.66 percent for nurses.
To address the issue, he said the government is offering various incentives, including the Pre-Gazette Specialist Incentive Payment, a 15 percent salary increase under the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), and an approximately 40 percent increase in the On Call Duty Allowance.
In addition, he said the MOH continues to provide specific incentives to attract personnel to serve in rural and remote areas.
These include the Location and Difficulty Allowance (BIMLTK), ranging from RM500 to RM1,500 per month, Interior Incentive Payment, ranging from RM135 to RM165 per month, and either a Home Travel Allowance (for recipients of the BIMLTK) or Inter-State Travel Fare for officers transferred between regions.
Source: Bernama
The post Malaysia boost nursing graduate output following end of moratorium appeared first on Healthcare Asia Daily News – Asia's Leading News and Information Source on Healthcare and Medical Industry, Medical Technology, Healthcare Business and R&D, Healthcare Events. Online since 2010.
Startup Protego Bio Lands $130M for First-in-Class Drug’s Pivotal Test in Rare Plasma Disorder
Protego Biopharma’s lead program is a potential treatment for the rare disease light chain amyloidosis. The startup says the novel mechanism of its oral small
