Health Ministry steps up efforts to recruit, retain nurses amid overseas migration

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the measures include salary adjustments under the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), as well as incentives and allowances for eligible personnel, including an increase in the Post-Basic Incentive from RM100 to RM200 a month. — Bernama pic

First Published: Sunday, 11 Oct 2026 5:12 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 — The Ministry of Health (MOH) is expediting nurse recruitment and strengthening efforts to retain those already in service through improved welfare support and career advancement opportunities to address the migration of nurses abroad.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the measures include salary adjustments under the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), as well as incentives and allowances for eligible personnel, including an increase in the Post-Basic Incentive from RM100 to RM200 a month.

“The MOH’s priority is to ensure that public nursing services remain competitive while safeguarding the welfare of nurses,” he told reporters after launching the National Liver Health Initiative Roadmap 2026-2030 at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, here today.

Dzulkefly said other measures included maintaining the 42-hour working week for nurses on shift duty, expanding training and promotion opportunities, and offering greater flexibility in placements through a mutual exchange system.

He said nurses were among those who benefited most from the mutual exchange system, with recruitment also being expedited to fill existing vacancies.

Dzulkefly said the MOH no longer recruited nurses on a contract basis, with all new recruits offered permanent appointments.

Meanwhile, he said the MOH was working with the Ministry of Finance to expedite the absorption of contract pharmacists into permanent positions.

As of July, 3,545 contract pharmacists were still serving with the MOH, while another 115 were on the reserve list or awaiting permanent appointments, he said.

Dzulkefly expressed hope that the appointment process could be expedited to enable these pharmacists to enter the permanent service. — Bernama