THE private healthcare industry will need 9,000 nurses in the next five years as it continues to face a shortage, Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia president Dr Kuljit Singh said.

“The government or any professional body needs to do a comprehensive study,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

On October 2, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the government has projected a shortage of about 8,000 nurses in Malaysia for 2023 and 2024.

She said the number of trainees produced in public and private nursing education institutions would be insufficient.

Zaliha attributes the shortage to the three-year Covid-19 pandemic, which placed immense burden on the country’s healthcare system. 

On September 18, Zaliha said private healthcare facilities will be allowed to hire foreign-trained nurses, subject to several conditions.

Zaliha said their numbers cannot exceed 40% and recruitment is valid for 12 months from October 1, 2023, with a 12-month extension.

Kuljit believes the nurses will be recruited from India, Pakistan, the Philippines and Bangladesh.

As for the shortage, Kuljit said this could be due to that Malaysian youth now have other career options available to them. 

“It is not proven, it’s our presumption based on the years past, where many took up nursing as there were not many career alternatives.

“Now after they finish secondary school, they have other choices. A study could be done to quantify this.”

Working abroad

Kuljit also said Malaysian nurses are in demand in other countries because they are known to be among the best.

“At present, Malaysian nurse earn an average of between RM2,000 and RM6,000, depending on their seniority,” he said.

“Those who have specialist training can earn as much as RM10,000, but there are not that many them.”

He said some nurses find work overseas because they are able earn up to four times more.

“If they go to Singapore and even if they are being paid the same, they still earn three times more with the exchange rate.

“So, it’s worthwhile working abroad, even more so in the Middle East.

“Wages could go up to RM9,000 or even RM20,000. It depends on their seniority, experience and the tasks they perform.”

He said since the government has allowed the entry of foreign nurses, private hospitals have already started recruiting.

“We believe they will be paid similar to what the local nurses are getting, with some added allowances.” – November 6, 2023.